A devastating maritime disaster unfolded off the coast of Tunisia when a boat carrying approximately 70 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa sank, resulting in the deaths of at least 40 people, including infants.
The tragedy occurred near the central Tunisian port city of Mahdia, where authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the boat’s sinking.
Rescue efforts managed to save around 30 migrants, but the high death toll has raised concerns about the risks faced by those attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea in search of better opportunities in Europe.
This incident is one of the deadliest maritime disasters in the region this year, highlighting the perilous nature of the sea migration route between Africa and Europe.
According to the United Nations, over 210,000 people attempted to cross the Central Mediterranean in 2023, with nearly 2,000 losing their lives at sea.
The European Union has been working to address the issue, including a deal with Tunisia worth $118 million to tackle irregular migration, strengthen borders, and return migrants.
However, more needs to be done to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
