Tunisia boat accident leaves 40 migrants dead, officials say

All the victims and those rescued were from sub-Saharan African countries, an official says.

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The boat sank off the Mediterranean port of Mahdia in central Tunisia while carrying about 70 migrants, an official said.

All the people on board were from sub-Saharan Africa, the official added, without providing further details.

This is the latest disaster to hit migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean from Africa to Europe.

Over 210,000 people tried to cross the Central Mediterranean in 2023, according to data shared by the UN.