Media

The Washington Post

Info

A Libyan militia confronts the world’s migrant crisis: In the middle of the chaos of civil war in the North African country, a militia tries to stop the boats of refugees leaving the country for Europe. On assignment for the Washington Post, Lorenzo Tugnoli documented their approach and its consequences. The starting point for the militia was the catastrophe of August 27, 2015, when a ship with hundreds of refugees on board sank off the coast close to the town of Zuwarah. Local inhabitants buried the victims in mass graves on the beach. Shortly afterwards, thousands demonstrated in the Libyan port city against human trafficking and the traffickers. A militia made it their task to hinder the departure of refugee boats and, for the first time since the beginning of the flood of refugees heading for Europe, life boats reported that the sea to the north of Zuwarah was empty. Now the migrants are stranded in the city, but still hoping for a chance to set to sea.

Camera & Lens

Leica M (Typ 240) / Summicron-M 35 mm f/2 Asph

PHOTOGRAPHER

Lorenzo Tugnoli

Born in Italy in 1979, the photographer Lorenzo Tugnoli now works in Afghanistan. His pictures appear in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Le Monde and Der Spiegel, among others. Since 2010 he has been working predominantly on photo projects for developmental organisations in Afghanistan, such as the UN and the German Foreign Ministry.

www.lorenzotugnoli.com