In a harrowing maritime incident off the coast of Tunisia, at least 40 migrants, including children, lost their lives when their boat sank near the port of Mahdia. Authorities confirmed that the vessel was carrying approximately 70 individuals, all of whom hailed from sub-Saharan Africa. This tragedy marks one of the deadliest migrant disasters in the Mediterranean this year. About 30 survivors were rescued, while an investigation has been launched to determine the causes of the sinking. The incident underscores the perilous journey faced by migrants fleeing conflict and poverty in Africa in search of better opportunities in Europe. According to UN data, over 210,000 people attempted to cross the Central Mediterranean in 2023, with more than 60,000 intercepted and nearly 2,000 perishing at sea. Tunisia, a key transit country, faces mounting pressure to manage migration flows. The EU recently signed a $118 million deal with Tunisia to combat irregular migration, focusing on curbing smuggling, strengthening borders, and facilitating migrant returns. This disaster follows a similar tragedy in February, when a boat carrying over 40 Sudanese migrants sank off Sfax. The Mediterranean route remains one of the world’s most dangerous migration paths, with countless lives lost annually.