At least 57 illegal immigrants drowned when their boat capsized off the Libyan coast, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) confirmed on Monday.

The IOM spokeswoman, Safaa Meshali, said in a press statement that a boat carrying illegal immigrants capsized off the coast of Khums city east of Tripoli.

According to testimonies gathered by the IOM from survivors, fishermen, and the coast guard, among the victims were at least 20 women and two children.

Since the start of this year, more than 630 illegal immigrants have died at sea while trying to reach Europe from Africa, according to UN figures.

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