At least 50 Sudanese migrants have died after a boat caught fire off the coast of Libya, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) confirmed in a statement on Wednesday.

Twenty-four survivors were rescued and informed IOM staff that approximately 75 people had been on board.

All the migrants were reportedly Sudanese nationals fleeing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in their country.

The cause of the fire remains unknown, and the boat’s point of departure and intended destination had not yet been confirmed, IOM spokespersons said during a briefing in Geneva.

“This incident once again highlights the urgent need for coordinated action to prevent further tragedies in the Mediterranean,” the IOM stated, urging governments and international actors to intervene.

According to IOM data, at least 1,225 people have died trying to cross the Mediterranean in 2025 alone, though the toll is believed to be significantly higher due to unreported cases.

The agency said many of the crossings happen at night in unregistered boats, which often vanish without a trace when they sink, making accurate data collection and rescue efforts extremely difficult.

 (dpa/NAN)