Friday, July 17, 2026

Seventy-six missing after migrant boat sank off coast of Tunisia: UN

Some 650 people have died in the Mediterranean this year, according to IOM spokesman Flavio Di Giacomo.

• May 25, 2022
Migrants boat capsizing
Capsized migrant boat used to illustrate the story.

At least seventy-six people went missing after a migrant boat sank off the coast of Tunisia, the United Nations migration agency said on Wednesday.

Twenty-four others were saved after the sinking of the coastal city of Sfax, and a rescue operation is ongoing, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said on Twitter.

The boat had sailed from the Libyan city of Zawra, the agency added without giving further details.

Some 650 people have died in the Mediterranean this year, according to IOM spokesman Flavio Di Giacomo.

“And yet the appeal to strengthen the system of patrols for search and rescue in the sea is not heard,’’ he wrote on Twitter.

The night before, there was another accident off Tunisia when an overcrowded wooden boat carrying 110 people capsized, the German rescue organisation Resqship said on Twitter.

Their sailing boat Nadir, together with a boat from the Spanish aid organisation Open Arms, was able to transport the people who had fallen into the water to life rafts.

According to aid workers, the crews and those rescued were waiting on Wednesday for help from a ship that could take the migrants on board.

“The behaviour of the European authorities is scandalous and puts human lives at risk.

“In spite of the several distress calls, all European authorities have refused to help in the last 8 hours,” tweeted Resqship.

Tunisia’s neighbour Libya has become a key transit country for migrants seeking to reach Europe due to political instability resulting from the civil war.

Libya descended into chaos after a 2011 revolt that toppled long-time dictator Moamer Gaddafi. 

(dpa/NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Centre for Democracy and Development

NationWide

CDD tasks Nigerian leaders on community development

Ugwe Benedict, one of the school administrators, said the project would bring relief to the school.

World Customs Organisation

NationWide

Nigeria, Benin bust smugglers in first intelligence-led border operation

According to the organisation, the operation followed a rigorous training programme.

Children

NationWide

Investing in children strengthens Nigeria’s future: UNICEF

Ms Russell noted that Nigeria’s public health challenges could be overcome through strong leadership.

Economic Commission for Africa

Africa

ECA seeks skills harmonisation to boost youth employment in Africa

The event focused on transforming informal work into sustainable livelihoods for young people.

LEGISLATIVE GAVEL

States

Police arraign Nigerian student for allegedly impersonating U.S. resident

He said the offence contravened Section 484 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

Nigeria Forest Security Service

States

Anambra partners with NFSS to strengthen forest conservation

The Anambra State Ministry of Environment is partnering with the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) to strengthen forest conservation.