The International Organization for Migration has called on the Libyan authorities to immediately launch an investigation into the killing of 30 migrants that took place in Mizdah city southwest of Libya last Wednesday, insisting that those responsible must be brought to justice.

"The tragedy occurred in a smuggling warehouse in Mizdah, near the city of Gharyan, where a group of migrants were being held," IOM stated, noting that the incident involved human traffickers in Libya.

It explained that 11 migrants who sustained severe injuries have been rushed to the hospital and some of those in critical condition were transferred to clinics in the capital Tripoli by the IOM medical staff.

"This senseless crime is a bleak reminder of the horrors migrants have to endure at the hands of smugglers and traffickers in Libya,” said IOM Libya Chief of Mission Federico Soda.

Soda accused "criminal groups" of taking advantage of the instability and security situation to prey on desperate people and exploit their vulnerabilities.