The Libyan coastguards have intercepted 122 Europe-bound illegal migrants off the country’s Mediterranean coast in recent days.

Up to 150 people are feared to have died in a shipwreck off the coast of Libya, while another 150 were rescued and are being returned to Libya, Reuters reported a spokesman for the UN refugee agency UNHCR saying today.

Libyan authorities on Wednesday released the crew of an Italian-flagged trawler and their vessel the day after they were seized at sea and questioned, officials said.

The Libyan coast guard says that it has intercepted about four dozen Europe-bound migrants off the Mediterranean coast.

Libya‘s coastguard is on alert as the battle for control of Tripoli threatens to spread to the sea.

Thousands of refugees and migrants trapped in detention centres across Libya should be evacuated to Europe, the international medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has said.

The International Organization for Migration said a boat carrying dozens of Europe-bound migrants has capsized off Libya’s Mediterranean coast, as the search for survivors continues.

Libya’s coast guard rescued 290 migrants clinging to inflatable rafts on Friday in two operations near the capital Tripoli, a naval forces spokesman said.

Libyan Coast Guard rescued 61 illegal immigrants, among them a child off the coast of Zawiya city west of Libya.

Libya’s coast guard said it rescued nearly 150 Europe-bound migrants, including women and children, off the country’s Mediterranean coast.