People-smugglers have killed 22 African migrants on a beach in western Libya, a security source said Wednesday.

The migrants were set to embark from Sabrata beach, 70 kilometers (45 miles) west of Tripoli, in a perilous attempt to cross the Mediterranean, the source said.

They were killed after refusing to board their boat due to bad weather, the source added.

The Libyan Red Crescent confirmed the killings had taken place over the weekend, but was unable to provide further details.

The Geneva-based International Organization for Migration said Tuesday it had heard reports of the deaths.

“There seems to have been an exchange of fire between the smugglers, which resulted in the death of 22 migrants,” it said.

Source: AFP