At Least 23 African Migrants Drown off the Coast of Tunisia

The Tunisian Red Crescent announced on Tuesday that at least 23 African migrants drowned off the coast of Tunisia while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea from Libya to Italy, and that 70 were rescued. More than 120 migrants have died in similar incidents off the Tunisian coast in recent weeks, as improved weather conditions have led to an increase in the number of trips from Tunisia and Libya towards Italy in hopes of reaching Europe. Monji Slim, an official with the Red Crescent, told Reuters, "The (Tunisian) naval forces rescued 70 migrants, while 23 others drowned who were on a boat carrying more than 90 migrants." The navy also rescued another 39 migrants in a second boat sinking off the coast of Sfax. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reports that around 23,500 individuals have crossed the sea to Europe this year, with most arrivals in Italy and Spain departing from Tunisia and Algeria.