Migrant boat sinks off Tunisia, killing at least 20 African migrants
The bodies were found off Sfax coast. Some 53 people had set out on the weekend aiming to reach Italy, an official said.
A boat is seen at a harbour in the southern island of Kerkenna, where migrants departed from last week before their boat sank. June 4, 2018.
At least 20 African migrants died when a boat carrying more than 50 people sank off Tunisia, an official said on Tuesday.
The bodies were found off the coast of Sfax, the official said, adding a total of 53 people had set out on the boat at the weekend aiming to reach Italy.
#Tunisia 09.06.20 - According to official statement of Tunisian National Guard spokesperson the authorities between 31.05 & 06.06.2020 thwarted 22 boat crossings and apprehended 201 #migrants of different nationalities. #migrantcrisis #frontex #seenotrettung #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/Nm3Disvwgo
— Migrant Rescue Watch (@rgowans) June 9, 2020
Search operation continues
Coast Guard units and the army were searching for the other missing people.
Last year, 86 African migrants drowned after their boat capsized having set off for Europe from Libya, in one of the worst such accidents in Tunisia.
Tunisia is both a transit country for migrants from elsewhere in Africa and a source of migrants trying to reach Europe to build a better life.
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