TRIPOLI, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Monday said 581 migrants were intercepted and returned off the coast of Libya in the past week.

The migrants include 61 women and 14 children, the IOM said in a statement, adding that two bodies of migrants were recovered.

So far this year, 18,646 migrants have been intercepted, while 522 died and 731 others went missing off the Libyan coast, it added.

Due to the ensuing insecurity and chaos after the downfall of late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has become a preferred departure point for many migrants, primarily from Africa, who attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach European shores. Enditem

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