Migrant backlash as refugees turn on smugglers in spate of murders on Europe’s doorstep

DOZENS of migrants have been murdered this week in a orgy of violence and retribution between refugees and people smuggling gangs on Europe's doorstep.

In the latest unrest, at least 13 Egyptian male migrants were murdered by gun-toting smugglers in lawless Libya following the earlier killing of three traffickers in a dispute with migrants in their custody.

Violence reportedly erupted following a disagreement over how much the smugglers were due to be paid to organise the deadly sea crossing to the southern tip of Europe.

The deaths mark a growing trend of violence between refugees and the gangs paid to smuggle them to Europe as the summer season of migration gets underway.

Authorities say the group of migrants were shot dead in Bani Walid, near Libya's Mediterranean coast, southeast of the capital Tripoli.

Reports said the number of casualties could be as high as 30, comprising 16 Egyptians and 14 Syrians.

The official said a group of Egyptians had earlier killed three Libyan smugglers and tried to drive the bodies away, but they were stopped at a checkpoint when blood was noticed on their car.

United Nations officials in Libya have called for an investigation into the latest bloodshed.

Powerful smuggling networks linked to Libya's numerous armed extremist groups control migration flows to Italy and the rest of Europe, with migrants frequently subjected to abuses.

Hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants are currently in Libya waiting to make the deadly Mediterranean crossing.

More than 16,000 arrived in Italy from North Africa in the first three months of 2016, almost double the rate last year.