The bodies of 20 migrants have been recovered after a devastating shipwreck off Tunisia’s Mediterranean coast near a known departure point for migrants heading to Europe.
Tunisia’s National Guard confirmed on Wednesday that a rescue operation 15 miles (24 kilometers) north of Sfax saved five survivors and retrieved 20 bodies. However, the exact number of passengers on the ill-fated vessel remains unclear.
The stretch of coastline, approximately 81 miles (130 kilometers) from Italy’s Lampedusa island, has seen a steady rise in tragic incidents. Just last week, the bodies of nine migrants were found along the same shoreline, underscoring the perilous nature of these crossings. 
Authorities in Tunisia, with European support, have ramped up efforts to police borders and deter illegal crossings. Despite these measures, drownings and shipwrecks persist, highlighting the dangers of the unseaworthy iron boats commonly used for these journeys.
International groups and local NGOs estimate that hundreds of migrants have perished in the central Mediterranean this year. The UNHCR reports over 1,100 deaths or disappearances off the coasts of Tunisia and Libya in 2024, while the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights estimates between 600 and 700 deaths off Tunisia’s coastline alone.
As authorities continue their search for the missing, the tragedy adds to the growing list of lives lost in pursuit of a better future.
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