16 Dead, Dozens Missing in Shipwrecks off Tunisia, Western Sahara

Officials reported on Monday that sixteen migrants have lost their lives in shipwrecks off the coasts of Tunisia and Western Sahara. This tragic incident comes as North Africa witnesses a surge in sea crossings by individuals seeking to reach Europe. The North African coast has become a significant route for irregular migrants and asylum seekers, many of whom come from other parts of the continent and embark on perilous journeys in precarious boats in search of a better life.

The shipwreck near Tunisia's city of Sfax claimed the lives of at least eleven migrants, as confirmed by local court spokesman Faouzi Masmoudi. This figure was revised from an earlier report that stated four fatalities. Out of the 57 people aboard the boat, all hailing from sub-Saharan African countries, two were rescued, while another 44 are currently missing. Survivors recounted that the makeshift boat departed from a beach north of Sfax over the weekend. Coast guard units are actively engaged in search and rescue operations to find any additional survivors.

In a separate incident, Moroccan authorities announced that the bodies of five migrants, all originating from Senegal, were recovered after their boat capsized off Western Sahara. Additionally, 189 migrants were successfully rescued. The boat had set off from a country located south of Morocco and was en route to Spain's Canary Islands before being discovered near Guerguart, just north of Mauritania. The migrants who were saved, including at least one woman, were taken to the city of Dakhla in Western Sahara and handed over to Moroccan authorities.

The Mediterranean crossing from North Africa to Europe has witnessed a significant increase in migrant deaths in recent years, with thousands fleeing war and extreme poverty in search of better opportunities. According to the International Organization for Migration, the central Mediterranean route is the deadliest in the world, with over 20,000 fatalities recorded since 2014. Survivor testimonies indicate that around 30 migrants are currently missing following two separate sinkings near Lampedusa. These boats had departed from Sfax last week.