At least 19 dead, 20 missing in migrant boat tragedy off Tunisia

At least 19 migrants have died and around 20 remain missing after a boat sank off the coast of Sfax in Tunisia, according to the monitoring group Alarm Phone.

The organisation, which tracks distress calls from migrants at sea, said that approximately 60 people had set off from Sfax, but only 16 survivors were confirmed, with 19 bodies recovered so far.

In a post on X, Alarm Phone questioned the fate of the remaining passengers, stating:
“Where are the rest? This carnage at sea must be stopped.”

The group had earlier reported that 56 migrants were in distress in the central Mediterranean, after departing from Tunisia in an attempt to reach the Italian coast. Adverse weather conditions are believed to have contributed to the sinking.

Alarm Phone also raised concerns that some migrants may have faced violence or forced return during the incident, although these claims remain unconfirmed.

Tunisian authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the sinking.

The tragedy comes amid a continued rise in crossings from Tunisia, where thousands of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa remain stranded and attempt dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean toward Europe.

It is the second such disaster in recent days, following the deaths of 22 migrants near the Greek island of Crete, after a boat carrying 48 people sank following departure from the Libyan coast of Tobruk, according to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex).