40 migrants, including infants, die after boat sinks off in Tunisia

Mahdia /Tunisia: At least 40 migrants, including infants and children, have drowned after a boat carrying about 70 people sank off the coast of Mahdia in central Tunisia, authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

According to Tunisian officials, all passengers on board were from sub-Saharan Africa. Around 30 people were rescued by local coastguards, while search operations continue for those still missing.

This tragedy marks one of the deadliest migrant disasters in the Mediterranean this year. The Tunisian authorities have launched an investigation into the causes of the sinking.

Tunisia has become a major departure point for thousands of migrants attempting the perilous journey across the Mediterranean to reach Europe. The route is considered one of the most dangerous in the world.

In 2023, the United Nations reported that over 210,000 people attempted to cross the Central Mediterranean, with nearly 2,000 losing their lives at sea and more than 60,000 intercepted and returned to African shores.

The latest incident follows a similar tragedy last February, when a boat carrying over 40 Sudanese migrants sank off the coast of Sfax.

Tunisia continues to face mounting pressure to curb irregular migration. In 2023, the European Union signed a $118 million (£90 million) agreement with Tunisia aimed at combating smuggling, strengthening border controls, and facilitating migrant returns.