Shipwreck off Tunisia leaves 17 people dead in attempt to reach Europe
The sinking of a boat from Libya comes amid a steep rise in the number of perilous sea crossings from Africa
A refugee from Ivory Coast who survived a shipwreck in March en route to Europe, in the Tunisian coastal city of Sfax, 22 April 2021 (Fethi Belaid/AFP) By Published date: 14 May 2021 13:26 UTC | Last update: 1 min 33 sec ago
At least 17 people have drowned off the coast of Tunisia while attempting to reach Italy by sea from Libya, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) confirmed on Thursday.
The IOM said that the boat had departed on Tuesday from the Libyan port of Zuwara, a gateway for Europe-bound migrants and refugees, many of whom are from sub-Saharan Africa.
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At least 17 migrants drowned as a boat sank off Tunisia, the International Organisation for Migration said on Thursday, quoting two survivors who were rescued near an oil platform.
The IOM said the boat left on Tuesday from the port of Zwara in Libya, a key gateway for Europe-bound migrants mostly from sub-Saharan Africa.
Two women from Niger survived and were rescued by authorities off the Tunisian port of Sfax and taken to hospital, the IOM said.
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It said more than 500 people have died trying to cross the Mediterranean from the shores of North Africa to Italy and Malta since the start of 2021.
Tunisia announces one-week lockdown including Eid May 8, 2021 at 10:46 am | Published in: Africa, Coronavirus, News, Tunisia
People wearing masks line up in front of stores after measures against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) began to be lifted 2 months later in Tunis, Tunisia on May 11, 2020 [Yassine Gaidi - Anadolu Agency] May 8, 2021 at 10:46 am
Tunisian Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi on Friday announced a seven-day comprehensive quarantine, including Eid Al-Fitr, and closing places of worship.
Mechichi announced in a press conference that the government had approved a general lockdown in the country from 9-16 May, including Eid Al-Fitr, to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
2021-05-07 11:31:11 GMT2021-05-07 19:31:11(Beijing Time) Xinhua English
TUNIS, May 7 (Xinhua) Tunisia decided on Friday to impose a general lockdown for a period of seven days starting from May 9 to May 16 to contain the rapid spread of COVID-19 in the country.
A curfew will also be imposed throughout the country from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. local time, announced by Tunisian Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi at a press conference held at the government s headquarters.
During the same period, it was decided to ban travel between governorates, gatherings and all festivities, the operation of mosques, weekly markets and shopping centers.