At least 20 African Illegal migrants died on Thursday as their boat sank off Tunisia in the Mediterranean. They were trying to cross to the Italian island of Lampedusa, according to Reuters.
A Tunisian security official told Reuters that five illegal migrants were rescued. The coastguard was searching for about 20 others who were still unaccounted for.
The coastline near the Tunisian port city of Sfax has become a major departure point for people fleeing conflict and poverty in Africa and the Middle East and searching for a better life in Europe.
Security official, Ali Ayari, said: “The boat sank about six miles from the coast of Sfax. Twenty bodies were recovered, five others were rescued, and all are from sub-Saharan Africa.”
"Around 45 people were on the boat when it sank," he added.
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