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At least 40 migrants, including children, have died after their boat sank off the coast of Tunisia, in one of the deadliest maritime disasters in the region this year, authorities have confirmed.
The vessel went down near the Mediterranean port of Mahdia in central Tunisia while carrying about 70 migrants, an official said.
According to the BBC, all those on board were from sub-Saharan Africa, though no further details have been released.
The tragedy adds to a growing list of deadly incidents involving migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea from Africa to Europe.
Data from the United Nations shows that in 2023, more than 210,000 people tried to cross the Central Mediterranean, with over 60,000 intercepted and returned to African shores, while nearly 2,000 perished at sea.
About 30 people were rescued from the latest disaster, which occurred on Wednesday, while Tunisian authorities have launched an investigation into the causes of the sinking.
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Tunisia continues to face mounting pressure to manage the surge of migrants fleeing conflict and poverty in search of better opportunities in Europe.
The sea route between Africa and Europe remains one of the world’s most dangerous migration paths, claiming thousands of lives each year.
In February 2024, another boat carrying more than 40 Sudanese migrants sank off the Tunisian city of Sfax.
Last year, the European Union (EU) signed a $118 million agreement with Tunisia aimed at tackling irregular migration by strengthening border controls, combating smuggling, and facilitating the return of intercepted migrants.
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