40 African Migrants Drown Off Tunisia Amid Migration Crackdown

At least 40 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, including women and infants, drowned when their boat sank off Tunisia's coast, one of the deadliest maritime tragedies in the region this year. The vessel, carrying around 70 people, was found near Mahdia, with 30 survivors rescued by the Tunisian coastguard. Tunisia serves as a key transit point for thousands of African migrants attempting the perilous Central Mediterranean crossing to Europe, a route considered one of the world's deadliest migration corridors, with over 32,000 deaths or disappearances since 2014. The European Union has intensified efforts to curb irregular migration, signing a €255 million agreement with Tunisia in 2023 to bolster border control and prevent migrant boats from leaving Tunisian shores, backed by Italy's government. This crackdown has left many migrants stranded in Tunisia, facing increased dangers and repression amid ongoing investigations into the causes of the shipwreck. The tragedy highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the complex challenges faced by migrants seeking safety and opportunity in Europe.