The tragedy comes amid fears that deteriorating living conditions for refugees and asylum seekers in North Africa could push more families to undertake perilous journeys.
The boat, which left the Tunisian village of Salakta, capsized shortly after departure, killing nine women, 19 men and 12 children under the age of five, according to the UN International Organization for Migration.IOM).
The alert of a nearby fishing boat led to the rescue of 30 people. Among the survivors were men, women and children from Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Guinea.
“This is one of the deadliest maritime incidents recorded along the North African coast this year,” IOM said in a statement.
“This highlights the urgent need for coordinated action to prevent further loss of life. along the Central Mediterranean route,” the agency added.
Rising death toll
According to the IOM Missing Migrants Project, nearly 1,000 deaths and disappearances have already been recorded this year along the main road.
Since 2014, more than 25,000 people died attempting to cross from North Africa to Europemaking it the deadliest migratory crossing in the world. The latest incident brings the total number missing in the wider Mediterranean region, at more than 32,800.
Children were among the worst affected. At least 30 people have lost their lives off the coast of Tunisia this year alone, compared to 22 for all of 2024, the IOM said.
Forced by conflicts, crises
Tunisia has become an increasingly common departure point for people seeking to reach Italy, amid tighter controls and growing insecurity in neighboring Libya.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Tunisia hosts more than 10,600 registered refugees and asylum seekers – Of which 86 percent come from countries affected by war or widespread violence.
Many are survivors of torture or gender-based violence or are unaccompanied children. Access to essential services has become increasingly limited, increasing protection risks and prompting some to attempt sea travel.
Guarantee safe and regular routes
IOM reiterated its support for “protection-sensitive search and rescue operations” and called for the expansion of “safe and regular migration pathways”. He said countries along major migration routes must strengthen coordination and ensure humanitarian principles guide their responses.
Since 2018, interceptions by the Tunisian and Libyan coast guards account for almost half of all recorded search and rescue operations. in the central Mediterranean.
This change can be attributed to several factors, including the reduction of Italian authorities’ maritime patrol zone and the shift of EU border management assets from maritime vessels to drones incapable of carrying out rescues at sea, IOM warned.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
