A boat carrying at least ninety-one migrants has been reported missing off the shore of Libya on Thursday.
The authorities said the inflatable dinghy had departed from al-Qarbouli, just east of the capital, Tripoli, and was headed to Europe.
The incident comes amid criticism of a lack of European Union rescue missions in the Mediterranean Sea.
Member countries have agreed to reduce anti-migrant smuggler operations and instead concentrate on upholding a widely flouted UN arms embargo.
Those on board the ship are believed to hail from Niger, Sudan and Mali.
The Libyan coast guard dispatched two search and rescue boats.
