Photo credit: Africa News
A shipwreck off Tunisia claimed the lives of at least 40 African migrants.
United Nations news reports that the tragedy came amid concerns that worsening conditions for refugees and asylum-seekers in North Africa are pushing more families to embark on perilous journeys.
The boat, which had departed the Tunisian village of Salakta, capsized shortly after setting off. Nine women, 19 men and 12 children under the age of five were killed in the shipwreck, according to the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM).
An alert from a nearby fishing vessel led to the rescue of 30 people. Among the survivors were men, women and children from Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea.
The IOM said, “This is one of the deadliest maritime incidents recorded along the north African coast this year.
“It underscores the urgent need for coordinated action to prevent further loss of life along the Central Mediterranean route.”
