At least 20 die as migrant boat sinks off Tunisia

At least 20 African migrants died when their boat sank off Tunisia on Thursday as they tried to cross the Mediterranean to the Italian island of Lampedusa, a Tunisian security official said.

The coastguard rescued five people and was searching for about 20 others who were still unaccounted for, the official told Reuters.

The coastline near the Tunisian port city of Sfax has become a major departure point for people fleeing conflict and poverty in Africa and the Middle East and searching for a better life in Europe.

"The boat sank about six miles from the coast of Sfax. Twenty bodies were recovered, five others were rescued, and all are from sub-Saharan Africa," the security official, Ali Ayari, said.

Around 45 people were on the boat when it sank, he added.

REUTERS

At least 20 die as migrant boat sinks off Tunisia

Breaking Headlines

Boat

Tunisia

Investigation session opens for Hannibal Gaddafi in Lebanon

Investigation session opens for Hannibal Gaddafi in Lebanon

World on catastrophic 2.5C warming pathway this century

World on catastrophic 2.5C warming pathway this century

UN, Red Cross demand opening of all Gaza crossings to allow in aid

UN, Red Cross demand opening of all Gaza crossings to allow in aid

Drone strike near Syria's Aleppo airport kills two

Drone strike near Syria's Aleppo airport kills two

Meet Miss Lebanon 2025 contestants: Video

Meet Miss Lebanon 2025 contestants: Video

Series of Israeli airstrikes spark massive fire in southern Lebanon

Series of Israeli airstrikes spark massive fire in southern Lebanon

Lunar eclipse captivates Lebanon: watch the stunning video

Lunar eclipse captivates Lebanon: watch the stunning video

Israel at ‘point of no return’: Is another Lebanon war inevitable? The details

Israel at ‘point of no return’: Is another Lebanon war inevitable? The details

Cancer cases in Lebanon reach highest rate in region, health minister tells LBCI

Cancer cases in Lebanon reach highest rate in region, health minister tells LBCI

Missing funds widen probe as treasury scandal rocks Beirut Municipality

Missing funds widen probe as treasury scandal rocks Beirut Municipality

Inside the Shatila shooting: What investigators found about Elio Abou Hanna's death

Inside the Shatila shooting: What investigators found about Elio Abou Hanna's death

33,390 expat registration requests submitted for Lebanon’s upcoming elections; deadline set for Nov. 20

33,390 expat registration requests submitted for Lebanon’s upcoming elections; deadline set for Nov. 20

Disputes over IMF talks stall Lebanon’s financial reforms—the details

Disputes over IMF talks stall Lebanon’s financial reforms—the details

Israel claims strikes killed two Hezbollah members in Lebanon's south

Israel claims strikes killed two Hezbollah members in Lebanon's south

Talks stall between Finance Minister and ABL despite ‘progress’ claims

Talks stall between Finance Minister and ABL despite ‘progress’ claims