At least 21 African migrants have lost their lives after the boat in which they were traveling sank off the coast of Tunisia.
The migrants were hoping to cross the Mediterranean to the Italian island of Lampedusa apparently in search of greener pastures.
Tunisia’s civil protection service, Mourad Mechri, said the boat sank during a trip that started last Thursday from the town of Sfax.
So far, Tunisian coastguards have been able to recover the dead bodies.
The Tunisian coastline has become a major route for African fleeing conflicts or poverty from their countries.
A report from the International Organization for Migration estimates that at least 406 migrants have died in the Mediterranean in 2021.
Data from Italy’s Interior Ministry showed since the start of the year, more than 8,500 migrants and refugees have arrived in Italy with Tunisians being in the majority.
Credit: Prince Fiifi Yorke