Thirty-four migrants are missing and two were found dead off the southeastern coast of Tunisia on Friday March 15, while 34 others were rescued after their shipwreck, according to authorities.
There were 70 people on board before the boat capsized, according to survivors, the National Guard reported in a statement.
“National Guard ships in Zarzis
(southeast of Tunisia)
were able to intercept an attempt to cross the maritime border, saving 34 passengers of different nationalities and recovering two bodies
,” we can read in the press release.
The National Guard said it was still searching for the missing passengers.
The survivors told authorities they had traveled from a
“neighboring country”
before their boat capsized.
Tunisia and Libya are the main departure points in North Africa for thousands of illegal migrants, who risk their lives every year in the hope of a better life in Europe.
The International Organization for Migration said 2,498 people died or disappeared trying to cross the central Mediterranean last year, an increase of 75% from 2022.