The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life off the coast of Mahdia, Tunisia, where a boat carrying 70 migrants capsized shortly after departing the Tunisian village of Salakta. Forty people have died: nine women, 19 men, and 12 children under the age of five.
An alert from a nearby fishing vessel resulted in 30 people being rescued. Among the survivors are men, women, and children from Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, and Guinea.
This is one of the deadliest maritime incidents recorded along the north African coast this year and underscores the urgent need for coordinated action to prevent further loss of life along the Central Mediterranean route, the world's most dangerous migration route, according to IOM's Missing Migrants Project .
Nearly 1,000 deaths and disappearances have been recorded in the Central Mediterranean this year, with the death toll since 2014 reaching more than 25,000. At least 30 children have lost their lives off the coast of Tunisia already this year, compared to 22 in all of 2024.
IOM reiterates its support for countries along key migration routes through protection-sensitive search and rescue operations, and through efforts to expand safe and regular migration pathways. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims.
