Mahdia: The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has expressed its sorrow over the loss of life off the coast of Mahdia, Tunisia, where a boat carrying 70 migrants capsized.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the tragedy occurred shortly after the boat departed from the Tunisian village of Salakta, resulting in the death of 40 people, including nine women, 19 men, and 12 children under the age of five.
In a statement from Geneva, IOM highlighted this incident as one of the deadliest maritime disasters along North Africa's shores this year. The organization emphasized the urgent need for coordinated international efforts to mitigate human suffering along the Central Mediterranean route, which it described as the "world's most dangerous migration route." IOM reported nearly 1,000 deaths and disappearances along this route since the beginning of the year, with the total number of victims since 2014 exceeding 25,000. Among these victims are 30 children who have lost their lives off the Tunisian coast this year alone.
The organization reaffirmed its commitment to supporting countries along key migration routes by enhancing search and rescue operations and ensuring the protection of migrants. Additionally, IOM is promoting efforts aimed at creating safe and regular migration pathways.