Mediterranean Migration Crisis: Over 2,200 Lives Lost in 2024 as 27 Migrants Die in Recent Shipwreck Off Tunisia, 20 Go Missing Off Libya

On Thursday, a civil defense official reported that 27 migrants, including women and children, tragically lost their lives when two boats capsized off the coast of central Tunisia, according to Arab News. The incident occurred near the Kerkennah Islands, a common departure point for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa attempting to reach Europe. Zied Sdiri, head of civil defense in Sfax, confirmed that 83 individuals were rescued, while searches continue for any additional missing passengers.

The Mediterranean crossing remains perilous, with Tunisia serving as a key launch point for many seeking to reach Italy, just 150 kilometers away. Each year, tens of thousands embark on this dangerous journey, with recent shipwrecks exacerbated by adverse weather conditions. In December alone, over 20 migrants died in a separate incident off Sfax, with many more reported missing.

In another alarming incident, 20 migrants fell overboard from a tilting boat off the Libyan coast, with survivors reporting rough seas contributing to the disaster. The six-meter vessel, carrying 27 passengers, had departed from Zuwara, Libya, and began taking on water five hours into the journey. The Italian coast guard has since ceased search operations after rescuing seven survivors, including an eight-year-old boy.

As the death toll from Mediterranean crossings rises, humanitarian organizations like Alarm Phone have condemned the ongoing loss of life, stating that over 2,200 individuals have died or gone missing in 2024 alone. UNICEF has called for urgent action from governments to ensure safe migration pathways, particularly for vulnerable children, emphasizing the need for coordinated search and rescue efforts and support services for arriving families.