At least ten migrants are missing and one dead after their boat sank off the coast of Tunisia while attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Italy
According to Reuters, Tunisia is suffering an unprecedented migration crisis and has surpassed Libya as the major departure point for individuals escaping poverty and conflict in Africa and the Middle East in search of a better life in Europe.
According to Reuters, the latest tragedy brings the total number of dead and missing off the coast of the North African country to more than 600 in the first half of 2023, far more than in any previous year.
According to Faouzi Masmoudi, a judge in Sfax, Tunisia’s coast guard rescued 11 persons from a boat that sailed off the coast of Zarzis.
The T Forum for Economic and Social Rights, a human rights organisation, reported on Saturday that the number of dead and missing in the sinking boats had risen to 608, and that the coast guard had stopped attempts to board the boats, which were carrying over 33,000 people from Tunisia’s coast.
European countries are putting pressure on Tunisia to halt significant numbers of refugees from fleeing its borders.
However, President Kais Saied has stated that he will not serve as a border guard.
