A devastating boat tragedy off the coast of central Tunisia has claimed the lives of at least 27 migrants, including women and children, after two boats capsized. Civil defense officials reported on Thursday that 83 people were rescued from the waters near the Kerkennah Islands, as they attempted to reach Europe from sub-Saharan Africa.
The victims were part of a larger group of migrants who had embarked on the perilous journey across the Mediterranean Sea, one of the deadliest migration routes in the world. Zied Sdiri, head of civil defense in Sfax, confirmed that all the passengers were from sub-Saharan African countries, highlighting the ongoing crisis of irregular migration through Tunisia.
Tunisia serves as a major point of departure for migrants trying to reach Europe, with Italy, just 150 kilometers from the Tunisian coast, often being their first stop. Every year, thousands of migrants risk the dangerous Mediterranean crossing in overcrowded, unseaworthy boats, seeking a better life in Europe.
The Mediterranean has seen an increase in fatal shipwrecks in recent years, with worsening weather conditions exacerbating the already treacherous journey. This latest tragedy comes less than a month after another shipwreck near Sfax on December 18, where at least 20 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa died, and five others were reported missing. The growing number of fatalities underscores the urgent need for better protection and humanitarian efforts for migrants in the region.