TRIPOLI, May 2 (Xinhua) -- At least 11 illegal immigrants drowned off the coast of western Libya on Sunday morning, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

"At least 11 migrants drowned this morning when a rubber dinghy capsized off the coast of Zawya, Libya, while 12 survivors were rescued by the coast guard," IOM tweeted.

"The continuous loss of life calls for an urgent change in approach to the situation in Libya and the Central Mediterranean," it added.

Because of years of instability and unrest, Libya has become a preferred point of departure for thousands of immigrants wanting to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach European shores.

Over the past few days, hundreds of illegal immigrants have been rescued by the Libyan Coast Guard and returned to Libya, while many others drowned at sea.

Rescued migrants end up inside overcrowded reception centers across Libya, despite repeated international calls to close them.

According to the IOM and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, migrants and refugees in Libya continue to be subjected to arbitrary detention, ill-treatment, exploitation and violence, which push them to take risky journeys especially sea crossings that may end up with fatal consequences. Enditem

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