Tunisia’s coastguard has recovered the bodies of 11 migrants after a boat carrying people bound for Italy sank off the country’s southeastern coast.
The boat, which was carrying 15 people, mostly young Tunisians, reportedly set off on Thursday before sinking about 14 nautical miles off the Tunisian coast. One person has been rescued, while three others remain missing.
Search and rescue operations are continuing, with coastguard, military and civil protection teams supported by two helicopters searching for the missing passengers.
According to authorities, the migrants were from the Ben Guerdane area in southeastern Tunisia. Seven members of one family were reportedly among those on board, along with a man and his pregnant wife.
The incident highlights the continuing dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe, often in overcrowded or unsafe vessels.
