The death toll is likely to rise
Nearly 40 killed in air strike on Libya migrant centre
Emergency services spokesman says 70 others wounded in air strike on migrant detention centre in Tripoli suburb.
Wednesday 03/07/2019
The death toll is likely to rise
TRIPOLI - Nearly 40 migrants were killed and more than 70 wounded in an air strike on their detention centre in a suburb of the Libyan capital Tripoli, an emergency services spokesman said.
"This is a preliminary assessment and the toll could rise," said spokesman Osama Ali.
He said 120 migrants were detained in the hangar, which was directly hit by the strike.
The UN refugee agency in Libya condemned the airstrike on the detention centre, which houses 616 migrants and refugees.
The Tripoli-based government blamed the self-styled Libyan National Army, led by Khalifa Haftar, for the airstrike and called for the UN support mission in Libya to establish a fact-finding committee to investigate.
A spokesman for Haftar's forces did not immediately answer phone calls and messages seeking comment. Local media reported the LNA had launched airstrikes against a militia camp near the detention centre.