Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Tunisians Missing After Migrant Boat Sinks Off Coast
A boat carrying people from Tunisia toward Italy sank in the sea.
At least 13 people are still missing.
Two people were rescued, but one was badly hurt.
The boat included young people, a family of seven and a pregnant woman.
Rescue teams are using boats and an aircraft to search for others.
Four bodies were found, but it is not known if they came from this boat.
The sea route between North Africa and Europe is very dangerous.
Human rights groups and Tunisia disagree about how migration controls should be handled.
At least 13 Tunisians are missing after a migrant boat sank off Tunisia while heading toward Italy.
Two people were rescued, including one survivor in critical condition, according to a migrant rights group.
The boat reportedly carried mostly young people, including seven members of one family and a pregnant woman.
Tunisian coastguard, aircraft and naval units were searching for the missing people.
Four bodies were recovered, but officials could not confirm whether they came from the same boat.
- Who
- At least 13 Tunisians are missing; two people survived, and the boat carried mostly young people, including seven relatives and a pregnant woman.
- What
- A migrant boat capsized and sank, leaving people missing and prompting a search operation.
- When
- The boat left early Thursday, and the missing-person report was given on Saturday.
- Where
- The sinking occurred off the Tunisian coast as the boat traveled toward Italy.
- Why
- The passengers were using the central Mediterranean route to seek entry to Europe.
Human rights groups
Tunisian authorities and supporters of controls
European migration funding
Human rights groups
Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and other groups said the European Union-Tunisia migration deal has fueled and normalized serious abuses against migrants and asylum seekers, and called for related funding to be suspended.
Tunisian authorities and supporters of controls
Tunisia has not commented on that statement, while European funding and tighter maritime controls have supported efforts to reduce departures from Tunisia.
Migration pressure
Human rights groups
Human rights groups emphasize risks and alleged abuses faced by migrants and asylum seekers in Tunisia.
Tunisian authorities and supporters of controls
Tunisia says it is bearing the brunt of a major migration influx; President Kais Saied said in 2023 that the influx was aimed at changing the country's demographic makeup.
- Missing
- At least 13 Tunisians
- Rescued
- Two people
- Boat departure
- Early Thursday
- Intended destination
- Italy
- Bodies recovered
- Four, though their connection to the boat was unconfirmed
- Search effort
- Tunisian coastguard units, an aircraft and naval units
- Route
- The central Mediterranean migration route