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At least 40 migrants, including children, have died after their boat capsized off the coast of Tunisia in one of the region’s deadliest maritime disasters this year, authorities said.
The boat sank off the Mediterranean port of Mahdia in central Tunisia carrying about 70 migrants, an official said.
All the people on board are from sub-Saharan Africa, the official added, without providing further details.
It is the latest disaster to befall migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea from Africa to Europe.
More than 210,000 people attempted to cross the Central Mediterranean in 2023, according to data shared by the United Nations.
More than 60,000 were captured and sent back to African shores, while nearly 2,000 lost their lives at sea.
About 30 migrants were rescued in the latest disaster, which happened on Wednesday.
The Tunisian authorities have launched an investigation into the causes and circumstances surrounding the sinking of the boat.
The country faces increasing pressure to manage migrants fleeing conflict and poverty in search of better opportunities in Europe.
The sea migration route between Africa and Europe is one of the most dangerous in the world.
Last February, a boat sank off the Tunisian city of Sfax with more than 40 Sudanese on board.
In 2023, the European Union (EU) signed an agreement with Tunisia to tackle illegal migration.
The deal includes $118m (£90m) to stop smuggling, strengthen borders and return migrants.
