At least 40 migrants, including children, have died after a boat capsized off the coast of Tunisia, one of the deadliest maritime disasters this year, officials say.
The boat, carrying about 70 migrants, sank off the Mediterranean port of Mahdia in central Tunisia, an official said.
All the people on board were from sub-Saharan Africa, the official added, without giving further details.
It is the latest disaster to kill migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean from Africa to Europe.
More than 210,000 people attempted to cross the central Mediterranean in 2023, according to data shared by the UN.
More than 60,000 people were intercepted and sent back to African shores, while around 2,000 lost their lives at sea.
About 30 migrants were rescued in the latest disaster on Wednesday.
Tunisian authorities have launched an investigation into the cause and circumstances of the boat’s sinking.
The country is facing increasing pressure to manage migrants fleeing conflict and poverty in search of better opportunities in Europe.
The maritime migration route between Africa and Europe is one of the most dangerous routes in the world.
Last February, A boat carrying more than 40 Sudanese people sank near the Tunisian city of Sfax..
In 2023, the European Union (EU) signed an agreement with Tunisia to combat irregular migration.
The deal includes $118m (£90m) to stop smuggling, strengthen borders and return migrants.
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