The United Nations refugee agency says it is deeply saddened by Sunday’s deadly accident involving a group of migrants who were trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea into Europe.
According to Tunisian officials, the boat departed from Melita in the Kerkennah Islands, heading in the direction of the Italian coast. Two hours into the journey, the overcrowded boat broke down and began to sink.
Authorities said the death toll had hit over 60 by Tuesday, adding that at least 100 people were either killed or still missing.
The UNCHR says it was concerned about the high number of people dying on the Central Mediterranean route with over 700 dead or missing so far in 2018. The agency is currently profiling and counselling the survivors of Sunday’s tragedy and also assessing their protection needs.
The agency said there are 851 refugees and 109 asylum-seekers registered in Tunisia.
Human traffickers increasingly use Tunisia as a launch pad for migrants heading to Europe as Libya’s coastguard, aided by armed groups, has tightened controls.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 1,910 Tunisian migrants reached Italy between 1 January and 30 April, including 39 women and 307 minors, 293 of whom were unaccompanied.
