Migrant boats sink off Sfax coast, killing 27

In a tragic start to 2025, two overloaded migrant boats sank off the coast of Sfax, Tunisia, in the central Mediterranean Sea, resulting in the deaths of at least 27 people, including women and children. The boats—carrying more than 100 passengers—were attempting the perilous journey from North Africa to Europe, a route frequently used by migrants and refugees fleeing poverty, conflict, and instability in sub‑Saharan Africa. Many of those aboard were from countries south of the Sahara, and the disasters highlighted the dangers inherent in irregular sea crossings on makeshift or unseaworthy vessels. Tunisian authorities and the coast guard coordinated rescue efforts, managing to save dozens, with officials reporting that about 83 people were rescued and transferred for aid, while the bodies of those who died were recovered and taken to forensic services. The Sfax region has become a major departure point for migrants seeking to reach Italy and other European destinations, as geopolitical and economic pressures push more people toward dangerous illegal crossings. The shipwrecks underscored both the human cost of migration policies and the chronic risks faced by those desperate to reach safer or more prosperous shores. The incident prompted renewed international calls for safer migration pathways and enhanced search‑and‑rescue operations in the Mediterranean.