At least two Tunisians, one of them a baby, died when their boat sank on Saturday soon after leaving the country's shores trying to reach Europe, the country’s coastguard said.
Thirteen people were rescued after the vessel sank at 2am (1am GMT) when it was only 120 metres off the coast of Gabes.
Tunisia is a major point for migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach a new life in Europe, but it is also a dangerous, often lethal, voyage.
"Two bodies have been recovered, one of a 20-year-old man and the other of an infant," the coastguard said on Saturday.
Five passengers were missing, the coastguard said, adding that a search was ongoing and 13 people, including the baby's parents, had been rescued.
Authorities in Gabes have launched an investigation to "determine the circumstances of this tragedy", it added.
Witnesses said the boat had just left Gabes when those on board saw a trawler they mistook for a coastguard vessel.
They tried to turn around, fishermen told journalists, but the boat capsized and the baby became stuck in nets on deck, the witnesses told the AFP news agency.
More than 1,800 people have died this year in shipwrecks on the central Mediterranean migration route, according to the International Organisation for Migration.
On Monday judicial officials reported the deaths of 11 migrants in a shipwreck off Sfax, with dozens more missing.
Sfax, in eastern Tunisia, is about 130 kilometres from the Italian island of Lampedusa and has emerged as a key migrant launchpad.
The Tunisian coastguard says it intercepted 34,290 migrants in the six months to June 20, most from sub-Saharan African countries, compared with 9,217 over the same period in 2022.
The number of Africans trying to make the crossing has spiked since Tunisian President Kais Saied alleged in a February 21 speech that "hordes" of irregular migrants were causing crime and posing a demographic threat to the mainly Arab country.
Tunisians have opted for the sea journeys in growing numbers as the country faces an economic crisis and shortages of basic staples.
Italy says about 95,000 migrants have arrived on its shores since the start of the year -- more than double the number for the same period in 2022.
Tunisians are the fourth-largest group among them, behind migrants from the Ivory Coast, Guinea and Egypt.
In July, the European Union signed an agreement with Tunisia that provides for €105 million ($115 million) in direct European aid to prevent the departure of migrant boats and combat smugglers.
The Library: A Catalogue of Wonders
Stuart Kells, Counterpoint Press
How to help
Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
2252 - Dh50
6025 - Dh20
6027 - Dh100
6026 - Dh200
The Specs
Engine 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 582bhp (542bhp in GTS model)
Torque: 730Nm
Price: Dh649,000 (Dh549,000 for GTS)
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
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Difference between fractional ownership and timeshare
Although similar in its appearance, the concept of a fractional title deed is unlike that of a timeshare, which usually involves multiple investors buying “time” in a property whereby the owner has the right to occupation for a specified period of time in any year, as opposed to the actual real estate, said John Peacock, Head of Indirect Tax and Conveyancing, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates, a law firm.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
Opening day UAE Premiership fixtures, Friday, September 22:
- Dubai Sports City Eagles v Dubai Exiles
- Dubai Hurricanes v Abu Dhabi Saracens
- Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Meydan Racecourse racecard:
6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes Listed (PA) | Dh175,000 | 1,900m
7.05pm: Maiden for 2-year-old fillies (TB) | Dh165,000 | 1,400m
7.40pm: The Dubai Creek Mile Listed (TB) | Dh265,000 | 1,600m
8.15pm: Maiden for 2-year-old colts (TB) | Dh165,000 | 1,600m
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) | Dh265,000 | 2,000m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | Dh190,000 | 1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) | Dh190,000 | 1,600m.
ENGLAND SQUAD
For first two Test in India Joe Root (captain), Jofra Archer, Moeen Ali, James Anderson , Dom Bess, Stuart Broad , Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes. Reserves James Bracey, Mason Crane, Saqib Mahmood, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Robinson, Amar Virdi.
Mrs%20Chatterjee%20Vs%20Norway
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'Moonshot'
Director: Chris Winterbauer
Stars: Lana Condor and Cole Sprouse
Rating: 3/5
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
