UNHCR: Over 42,000 migrants are currently in Libya

42,210 migrants are currently registered in Libya, and only 127 of which were released from detention this year, the U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR) revealed on Friday.

Since the start of the year, 20,799 migrants have been intercepted at sea and brought back to the country by the Libyan Coast Guard, the UNHCR said in its latest weekly update.

“The number of people brought back to Libya in July 2021 has more than tripled compared to the same period last year, which could have resulted from the periodic relaxation of movement restrictions of COVID-19,” UNHCR said.