Libyan Authorities Discover Hidden Underground Detention Site in Kufra, Release Over 200 Migrants

Libyan security forces have uncovered a concealed underground detention facility in the southeastern town of Kufra, freeing more than 200 migrants who were reportedly held in brutal conditions for extended period.

Officials say the site was built beneath the ground and included multiple cells, some nearly three meters deep. The discovery has raised fresh concerns about the scale of human trafficking and illegal detention practices operating in the region.

Security sources in Kufra described the operation as a major breakthrough, revealing one of the most severe cases of migrant abuse seen in the area in recent years. Authorities said the facility appeared to have been operated by a human trafficking ring, although investigations are ongoing and no arrests have been confirmed.

“Some of the migrants were held in underground cells for as long as two years,” one official said. “The conditions were inhumane, and the discovery highlights a disturbing level of cruelty.”

The migrants freed from the site were reported to be primarily from sub-Saharan African countries, including Somalia and Eritrea. The group included women and children, many of whom were said to be in urgent need of medical and psychological support.

Kufra, located in eastern Libya roughly 1,700 kilometers from Tripoli, has long been a key transit point for migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean toward Europe. Libya’s ongoing instability has allowed armed groups and smugglers to operate with relative impunity, trapping thousands in detention centers or forcing them into exploitative labor.

The raid comes amid growing international scrutiny of migrant abuse in Libya. Recent discoveries of mass graves and reports of torture have intensified pressure on Libyan authorities and international partners to strengthen protection and oversight.

In the latest development, local authorities confirmed that investigations will continue to identify those responsible for running the underground facility and to determine how long it had been in operation. Officials also emphasized the need for stronger monitoring and protection mechanisms to prevent future cases.