The northern hemisphere spring has prompted fresh waves of African asylum seekers attempting to reach Europe, with the perilous journey already claiming lives on the high seas.
At least 20 African migrants are missing after their boat sank off Tunisia as they tried to cross the Mediterranean to Italy, amidst a sharp rise in migrant boats from the North African country.
The coast guard rescued 17 others on Saturday off the southern city of Sfax from the same boat, two of whom are in critical condition, Sfax court judge Faouzi Masmoudi said.
In recent weeks, dozens have gone missing and died in repeated drowning accidents off the Tunisian coast.
Italy slams the door
Tunisia has taken over from Libya as a main departure point for people fleeing poverty and conflict in Africa and the Middle East in the hope of better lives in Europe.
The National Guard on Friday said more than 14,000 migrants – mostly from sub-Saharan Africa – were intercepted or rescued in the first three months of the year while trying to cross into Europe, five times more than figures recorded in the same period last year.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday said Europe risks seeing a huge wave of migrants arriving on its shores from North Africa if financial stability in Tunisia is not safeguarded.
Meloni called on the IMF and other countries to help Tunisia quickly to avoid its collapse.
Tunisian Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar last week said the country needed funding and equipment to better protect its borders. Tunisia had received equipment from Italy in the past years, but Ammar said it was outdated and not sufficient.
-AAP
