At least 40 migrants, including infants, died when their boat sank off the Tunisian port of Mahdia on Wednesday. About 30 people were pulled out alive. Authorities described it as one of the deadliest maritime disasters in the region this year.
An official told the BBC that the boat was carrying about 70 people. All of them were from sub-Saharan Africa, the official said, and gave no further details.
Mahdia is a Mediterranean port in central Tunisia. Tunisian authorities have opened an investigation into the causes and circumstances of the sinking.
A route with a long toll
The crossing from Africa to Europe is one of the most dangerous sea migration routes in the world. UN data show that over 210,000 people tried to cross the Central Mediterranean in 2023. More than 60,000 were intercepted and sent back to African shores. Nearly 2,000 died at sea.
Wednesday’s sinking is the latest in a string of disasters. Last February, a boat carrying more than 40 Sudanese people sank off the city of Sfax.
Tunisia is under growing pressure to deal with migrants fleeing conflict and poverty in the hope of better opportunities in Europe. In 2023, the European Union signed a deal with Tunisia to tackle irregular migration. It includes $118m (£90m) to stop smuggling, strengthen borders and return migrants.
Sources
- Tunisia boat accident leaves 40 migrants dead, officials say
- Tunisia boat accident leaves 40 migrants dead, officials say
