Tunis, Jan 03 (V7N) — At least 27 people have died, and 83 others have been rescued after two migrant boats capsized off the coast of Tunisia near the Kerkennah Islands. The tragedy occurred on Wednesday night, according to Tunisian authorities.

The boats sank approximately three miles off Altaya, a coastal point in the Kerkennah Islands. A Tunisian National Guard official, speaking anonymously, stated that the boats departed on the night of December 31 to January 1, carrying migrants from sub-Saharan African countries attempting to reach Europe illegally.

The perilous journey reflects a continuing crisis. A UNICEF report from 2024 revealed that over 2,200 people lost their lives in the Mediterranean last year. Tunisia has become a major transit point for human traffickers, exploiting vulnerable migrants seeking a better life in Europe.

Efforts are underway to recover additional bodies and provide assistance to the survivors. However, this incident underscores the ongoing dangers faced by migrants and the need for urgent international attention to address the crisis.

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