The migrants were rescued in two separate operations off Libya's western coast, the UN migration agency said.

"While IOM teams were there to provide emergency assistance, including medical support, we maintain that Libya is not a safe port," the agency said.

Nearly 6,000 migrants who tried to flee Libya were intercepted or rescued and returned so far this year, according to the agency.

More than 2,000 people lost their lives at sea attempting to reach Europe in 2020, despite the extensive mobility restrictions imposed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report from the International Organization for Migration (IOM)’s Missing Migrants Project.

Another 300 deaths already have been documented thus far in 2021. (ILKHA)