The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Monday that two mass graves likely containing the bodies of migrants have been discovered in the Jakarrah and Alkufra desert in Libya.

In a statement on its website, the IOM revealed that at least 30 and 19 bodies were found in a mass grave in the Jakarrah and Alkufra deserts, respectively. It said this highlights the dangers facing people fleeing conflicts and poverty in the region.

Nicoletta Giordano, IOM Libya Chief of Mission, said, “The loss of these lives is yet another tragic reminder of the dangers faced by migrants embarking on perilous journeys.”

He added that “far too many migrants along these journeys endure severe exploitation, violence and abuse, underscoring the need to prioritise human rights and protect those at risk.”

The graves were discovered across the Libyan desert, following a police raid reportedly on a human trafficking site, which aided the rescue of migrants from traffickers.

The IOM urged the Libyan authorities to “ensure a dignified recovery, identification, and transfer of the remains of the deceased migrants, while notifying and assisting their families”.

In March 2024, the bodies of 65 migrants were found in the southwest of the country, and according to the IOM’s Missing Migrants Project, out of the 965 recorded deaths and disappearances in Libya in 2024, more than 22 per cent occurred on land routes.

The IOM said this highlights the often-overlooked risks migrants face on land routes, where fatalities frequently go underreported,” adding that “strengthening data collection, search and rescue efforts, and migrant protection mechanisms along these routes is crucial to preventing further loss of life”.

The migration agency urged all governments and authorities along migrant smuggling routes to strengthen regional collaboration to safeguard and protect migrants, irrespective of their status.