According to the Tunisian coastguard, two citizens, including an eight-month-old infant, died after their boat sank Saturday (August 12) soon after leaving the country’s shores. This comes amid a spike in the number of Europe-bound central Mediterranean migrant crossings from North Africa which is said to be the world’s deadliest, according to the United Nations. Migrant boat sinks off Tunisian coastThe vessel was said to have been carrying 20 Tunisians when it sank around 2:00 am (local time) and around 120 metres from the country’s coast in Gabes, said the officials. ALSO READ | At least 16 dead, dozens missing after migrant shipwrecks off Tunisia and Western SaharaIt added that around five people were still missing and that search operations were ongoing for them. It added that the 12-metre boat carrying the migrants had set sail from Libya late on Thursday and those rescued were from Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Syria.

Source: The North Africa Journal August 12, 2023 17:20 UTC