At least 20 die, five rescued as migrant boat sinks off Tunisia

TUNIS — Tunisia’s coast guard has recovered the bodies of 20 migrants after the boat they were in sank, on Wednesday, in the second migrant drowning tragedy within one week off the Tunisian coast.

Last Thursday, the Tunisian coast guard also recovered the bodies of nine migrants, while six others are still missing, after their boat sank while they were sailing toward Europe.

The coast guard, on Wednesday, rescued five others, from the latest tragedy, and search operations were underway for anyone still missing.

The boat sank off the coast of Sfax city, a major departure point especially for sub-Saharan African migrants.

Tunisia is grappling with an unprecedented migration crisis and has replaced Libya as the major departure point for both Tunisians and people from elsewhere in Africa, who are seeking a better life in Europe.

AN-REUTERS/Dec 18, 2024
19:38