The Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Monday, October 24, urged the new Libyan government to investigate an alleged massacre of Moammar Gaddafi supporters in the town of Sirte.

The bodies of the 53 people were found in a hotel, Human Rights Watch said.

“We found 53 decomposing bodies, apparently (Gaddafi) supporters, at an abandoned hotel in Sirte, and some had their hands bound behind their backs when they were shot,” emergencies director of Human Rights Watch Peter Bouckaert said.

They are believed to have been killed between October 14 and 19.

“This requires the immediate attention of the Libyan authorities to investigate what happened and hold accountable those responsible,” Bouckaert added, RIA Novosti reported.

Gaddafi, who ruled Libya for 42 years, was captured and killed by the National Transitional Council fighters on Thursday near his home town of Sirte.