Libyan navy rescues 62 illegal immigrants

Tripoli, Aug 4 : Libyan coast guards on Saturday rescued 62 illegal immigrants off the country's western coast, said the Libyan anti-illegal immigration department.

"A coat guards patrol rescued 62 illegal immigrants on a rubber boat that broke down at sea," the department said in a statement, Xinhua news agency reported.

The rescued immigrants are of different African and Asian nationalities, the statement said.

The immigrants have been to Tripoli naval base and then to Tripoli anti-illegal immigrants division, it added.

A few days ago, the Libyan Red Crescent recovered 60 bodies of illegal immigrants drowned last week in east of the capital Tripoli.

Because of the insecurity and chaos, Libya is a preferred point of departure for illegal immigrants wanting to cross the Mediterranean toward Europe, many of whom drown on the way.

Improved weather conditions increase the flows of illegal immigrants toward Europe, particularly off western Libyan coast.