Iraqi Embassy Works to Identify 18 Bodies Recovered off Libya

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Migrants crossing the sea.

Ahmed Al-Sahhaf, Chargé d’Affaires of the Iraqi Embassy in Libya, announced that DNA tests are being carried out on 18 bodies believed to belong to Iraqi nationals.

Speaking to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Al-Sahhaf said the embassy had begun DNA testing procedures on the bodies in coordination with the Libyan Red Crescent.

He added that the embassy was also coordinating with Libyan security authorities, noting that dozens of bodies had been recovered following drownings in the Mediterranean Sea off the Libyan coast.

Al-Sahhaf stressed that the embassy was exercising the utmost caution to ensure accurate and officially verified DNA matching results. He said efforts were continuing to establish the fate of other Iraqis who had travelled through Libya in an attempt to reach Europe illegally.

Earlier, Al-Sahhaf said the Iraqi Embassy was closely and urgently following the fate of 18 Iraqi migrants who had entered Libya illegally. The embassy has been working with Libyan security and health authorities, as well as the Libyan Red Crescent, to determine their whereabouts and verify reports that they had drowned in the Mediterranean while attempting to travel from Libya to Europe.


PUKMEDIA