8 migrants dead, 29 rescued after boat sinks off Tunisia’s coast

Tunisia’s coast guard recovered the bodies of eight African migrants on Monday after their boat capsized off the country’s coast as they attempted the perilous journey toward Europe, a security official told Reuters.

The vessel sank in waters near the city of Abwabed, close to Sfax — a region that has become a major departure point for migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean.

Authorities reported that 29 other migrants were rescued from the water during the operation.

Efforts to locate any additional survivors are ongoing, according to security sources. The nationalities of those involved have not yet been disclosed.

Tunisia has increasingly become a launching pad for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, as well as nationals fleeing economic hardship and political instability.

The central Mediterranean route, often described by aid groups as one of the deadliest migration paths in the world, continues to claim lives despite intensified patrols and repeated crackdowns by Tunisian and European authorities.

In recent years, the city of Sfax has witnessed a surge in migrant departures, exacerbated by worsening economic conditions within Tunisia itself.

Human rights organizations have called for greater protection for migrants, who often risk overcrowded and unsafe vessels to seek a better future across the sea.

Monday’s tragedy underscores the growing human toll of irregular migration, as European nations debate new measures to curb the influx while balancing humanitarian concerns.

Authorities have not yet provided further details on the circumstances that led to the sinking.