Dozens of bodies believed to be sub-Saharan migrants have been found in the sea and the shore of Tajoura, in Libya, according to the Malta-based Migrant Report.

A spokesman for the Libyan capital’s anti-immigration department said women and children were among the dead found on the shores of the coastal town about 10 kilometres east of Tripoli. However, he could not confirm their numbers or indicate their nationality.

They are believed to be the victims of a shipwreck off Tajoura, which is known as a departure point for migrants heading for Europe on boats.

If the number of dead is confirmed it would be the biggest tragedy by far since April 18 when 850 migrants are believed to have lost their lives in a single shipwreck off Libya.

The number of tragedies went down as the EU agreed to dispatch search and rescue vessels closer to Libya.

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