According to a human rights group, at least 19 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa have died in the latest boat sinking off the coast of Tunisia, as they attempted to cross the Mediterranean to Italy. In the past four days, five migrant boats have sunk near the southern city of Sfax, with 67 people missing and nine dead. The Tunisian coast guard rescued five individuals from the boat off the coast of Mahdia, with a journey that started from Sfax beaches. The Tunisian authorities have not yet commented on the situation.
Tunisia's coast near Sfax has become a major departure point for people escaping poverty and conflict in Africa and the Middle East, hoping for a better life in Europe. UN data reveals that at least 12,000 migrants who reached Italy this year set sail from Tunisia, compared to 1,300 in the same period of 2022. Tunisia’s coast guard has prevented over 14,000 migrants from setting off in boats during the first three months of this year, compared to 2,900 in the same period last year, according to FTDES statistics.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has warned that Europe risks a large influx of migrants from North Africa if financial stability in Tunisia is not protected, calling on the IMF and other countries to help Tunisia to avoid its collapse.