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Libyan security forces have rescued more than 200 migrants from a hidden underground detention site in the remote southeastern town of Kufra, exposing a disturbing case of abuse and human trafficking. The migrants were found locked inside an improvised prison built nearly three meters below the ground, where they had been living in cruel and degrading conditions for months, and in some cases, for years.
According to security officials, the underground facility contained several small cells with little ventilation or access to basic necessities. Some of the migrants told authorities they had been held captive for up to two years. Officials who spoke anonymously said the site was allegedly run by a Libyan human trafficker who exploited migrants traveling through the region. The suspect has not yet been arrested, and investigations are still ongoing to identify all those involved.
Security officers described the discovery as one of the most serious human rights violations uncovered in the area. They said the conditions inside the underground cells showed extreme cruelty, with detainees deprived of freedom, dignity, and basic care. Many of the rescued migrants were weak and in urgent need of medical attention after long periods of confinement.
The group included women and children, highlighting the vulnerability of those targeted by trafficking networks. Most of the migrants were from sub-Saharan African countries, particularly Somalia and Eritrea, regions where conflict, poverty, and instability continue to push people to seek safer lives elsewhere. Like many others, they had passed through Kufra hoping to continue toward Libya’s Mediterranean coast and eventually reach Europe.
Kufra is located about 1,700 kilometers southeast of Libya’s capital, Tripoli, and has long been a key crossing point along migration routes through the Sahara Desert. Its remote location and weak security have made it a hotspot for smugglers and traffickers who take advantage of desperate migrants. Over the years, the town has become linked to repeated reports of abuse, illegal detention, and deaths.
The latest rescue comes shortly after another shocking discovery in eastern Libya, where authorities found at least 21 migrant bodies in a mass grave. Officials said some survivors freed from captivity in that case showed clear signs of torture. These incidents point to a wider pattern of violence and exploitation faced by migrants traveling through the region.
Earlier investigations have also revealed the scale of the crisis. In February last year, Libyan authorities recovered 39 migrant bodies from dozens of mass graves in and around Kufra. Those findings further confirmed the town’s grim reputation as a dangerous stop along Sahara trafficking routes, where many migrants never survive the journey.
Adding to the pressure on the area, Kufra has recently taken in tens of thousands of Sudanese refugees fleeing the conflict that erupted in Sudan in 2023. The sudden population increase has strained local resources and made security challenges even more complex in the already fragile desert region.
International human rights organizations have long warned about the treatment of migrants in Libya. They have documented widespread cases of arbitrary detention, torture, forced labor, and abuse, and continue to call on Libyan authorities and the international community to strengthen protections and hold perpetrators accountable. Libya remains one of the world’s most dangerous migration routes, with thousands of people suffering exploitation at the hands of traffickers each year.
Libyan authorities said the rescued migrants were transferred to care centers where they are receiving medical treatment and basic assistance. However, officials did not provide details about their long-term protection, legal status, or whether they may be returned to their home countries. As investigations continue, the discovery has renewed urgent calls for stronger action against trafficking networks and better protection for migrants caught in the crisis.