At least 27 dead after migrant vessels sink off Tunisia's coast

At least 27 people have been confirmed dead after two vessels carrying migrants from sub-Saharan Africa sank off the coast of Tunisia, authorities reported.

The tragedy occurred near the city of Sfax, located in the eastern part of the North African country, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The vessels, which were carrying around 110 passengers, sank while attempting to make the perilous journey to Europe. Among the deceased are women and children. However, search and rescue operations have successfully saved 83 individuals.

Zied Sdiri, head of the civil defense in Sfax, confirmed that the migrants found near the Kerkennah Islands in central Tunisia were attempting to reach Europe. The migrants were believed to have come from various sub-Saharan African countries.

The Tunisian National Guard, which oversees the country's coast guard, is continuing search operations to locate additional survivors or bodies. The incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean in overcrowded and often unsafe vessels.

The issue of illegal migration from sub-Saharan Africa through Tunisia and Libya remains a persistent challenge. Every day, dozens of migrants embark on this dangerous journey, with the Italian island of Lampedusa, located just 150 kilometers (90 miles) from Tunisia, frequently serving as their first point of arrival.

By Vugar Khalilov