Tunisian Navy rescues 81 migrants headed for Europe after makeshift boat sank

Tunisian authorities on Monday said its Navy rescued 81 migrants on Sunday after their makeshift boat sank in the Mediterranean Sea as they set out for Europe from Libya on a “barely seaworthy vessel.”

The boat which had been damaged, was boarded around six kilometers off Tunisia’s northeastern coast, the report said.

“The vessel carried 38 Egyptians, 32 Bangladeshis, 10 Sudanese and a Moroccan, all aged between 20 and 38, who had set off from the coastal village of Abu Kammash, close to Libya’s border with Tunisia,” the Tunisian Navy said.

“Those who were rescued including a female, were handed over to the national guard for processing,” the statement added.

Last month, following the death of over 40 migrants who drowned while attempting the dangerous sea crossing, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), said nearly 2,000 migrants have drowned or went missing in the Mediterranean in 2021, compared to 1,401 the previous year.

“Crossing the Mediterranean Sea is the world’s deadliest migration route, but people hoping to build a better life in Europe increasingly risk it.

“Tunisia and neighboring Libya are key departure points for migrants seeking to reach European shores, often in poorly-maintained vessels,” the IOM said.