TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — About 20 African migrants were found dead Thursday after their smuggling boat, which was trying to reach Europe, sank in the Mediterranean Sea, Tunisian authorities said. Five survivors were rescued and the Tunisian navy is searching for up to 20 others still believed missing.
Tunisian coast guard boats and local fishermen found the bodies off the coastal city of Sfax in central Tunisia, Defense Ministry spokesman Mohamed Ben Zekri told The Associated Press.
According to the survivors, the migrant smuggling boat was carrying about 40 or 50 people heading toward Italy, Ben Zekri said. It was believed to be carrying mainly migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, he said.
Tunisian navy units were on the scene to search for any more survivors.
Migrant smuggling boats frequently leave from the coast of Tunisia and neighboring Libya carrying people from across the continent, including a growing number of Tunisians fleeing prolonged economic difficulties in their country.