One dead, at least 10 migrants missing as boat sinks off Tunisia

As they attempted to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Italy, at least 10 Tunisian migrants were missing and one was found dead, according to a court official on Sunday.

In the aim of finding better living conditions in Europe, individuals are fleeing poverty and conflict in Africa and the Middle East, and Tunisia is now serving as their major point of departure instead of Libya.

According to data collated by Reuters, the most recent tragedy brings the total number of people who have died or gone missing off the coast of the North African nation to more than 600 in the first half of 2023.

Faouzi Masmoudi, a judge in the city of Sfax, told Reuters that the Tunisian coastguard saved 11 people from the boat after it left the coast near the village of Zarzis.

Approximately 33,000 individuals from Tunisia’s beaches attempted to board boats, but the coastguard was able to stop them, according to the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, a human rights organization. As of Saturday, there were 608 persons confirmed dead and missing after boat sinkings.

European nations are putting pressure on Tunisia to stop the mass exodus from its coastlines. It won’t serve as a border guard, according to President Kais Saied.

Reuters