Home

Dozens missing as boat sinks off Tunisia

Tarek AmaraReuters
Dozens of people are missing after a boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of Tunisia. (file)
Camera IconDozens of people are missing after a boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of Tunisia. (file) Credit: AP

Seventy six people were missing after a crowded boat of migrants sank off the coast of Tunisia, the International Organisation for Migration says, as the numbers risking the dangerous crossing to Europe increase.

The IOM on Wednesday said 24 people had been rescued from the boat, which had departed from the beaches of Zawara in Libya and sank off the coast of Sfax.

In recent months, dozens of people have drowned off the Tunisian coast, with an increase in the frequency of attempted crossings from Tunisia and Libya towards Italy.

Hundreds of thousands of people have made the perilous Mediterranean crossing in recent years.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails