Tunisia says 23 people missing in Mediterranean sea

Tunisia is a main departure point for people fleeing conflict in the Middle East and Africa

Officials in Tunisia say around 23 people have gone missing after setting off in a boat towards Europe.

The national guard said it had informed the navy and search and rescue operations were under way.

According to AFP, they set sail between 3 and 4 May and families of the missing individuals notified the authorities 10 days later.

The National Guard said five people had been arrested for their alleged involvement in the crossing, the news agency reported.

Tunisia is a key departure point for migrants hoping to reach Europe.

UN figures show that at least 12,000 migrants who landed on Italy's shores last year, left from Tunisia.

In February at least 13 Sudanese nationals died and 27 others went missing when their boat sank off Tunisia's coast.

The central Mediterranean Sea is one of the world’s deadliest migration routes. According to the International Organisation For Migration, around 3,000 people are known to have drowned while crossing it in 2023.

In the same year, the European Union (EU) signed a deal with Tunisia to tackle irregular migration.

The deal includes $118m (£90m) to stop smuggling, strengthen borders and return migrants.