Two boats carrying 110 migrants capsized off Tunisia’s Kerkennah Islands, claiming the lives of 27 people, including women and children. Tunisian civil defence officials reported that 83 survivors were rescued, with 15 requiring hospital treatment.
The vessels, departing near Sfax on the night of December 31, aimed to reach Europe but met tragedy in one of the world’s most perilous migration routes. A baby was among the deceased, and searches continue for additional missing passengers.
Tunisia and Libya remain key departure points for migrants seeking better opportunities in Europe. The Mediterranean crossing has seen thousands of fatalities annually, driven by poverty, conflict, and economic hardship in sub-Saharan Africa.
In 2023, the European Union allocated €105 million to Tunisia to curb irregular migration, leading to increased interceptions. Despite this, 2024 recorded over 2,200 deaths in the Mediterranean, with nearly 1,700 lost on the central route alone, according to UNICEF.
The tragedy shows the enduring risks of irregular migration, even as efforts to stem crossings intensify.
