Iraq probes fate of 18 migrants feared drowned off Libya's coast

Iraq's embassy in Libya said Saturday it is investigating the fate of 18 Iraqi migrants feared drowned in the Mediterranean en route to Europe.

• The Iraqi embassy in Libya said it is investigating the fate of 18 Iraqi migrants after reports emerged that they may have drowned at sea while attempting to reach Europe.
• Charge d'affaires Ahmad al-Sahhaf said the embassy is urgently tracking the migrants, who entered Libya irregularly at an earlier date.
• Al-Sahhaf said the embassy is coordinating with Libyan security authorities, health bodies, and the Libyan Red Crescent to verify the information.
• He said the drowning reports have not been officially confirmed and that the embassy has spent about a month verifying details against official sources.