The toll could be more serious, because according to the testimonies of the rescued migrants, “there were between 30 and 32 people on each of the boats”.
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At least 17 migrants died in the sinking of four boats off the coast of central-eastern Tunisia, AFP learned on Sunday April 24 from judicial sources. They said that 97 people had been rescued. “The boats, makeshift boats in very poor condition, left the coast near Sfax on the night of April 22 to 23”said Mourad Turki, spokesman for the Sfax court, responsible for investigating the sinking. “A woman was rushed to hospital but died in the ambulance, and among the victims there was also at least one baby”the spokesperson added.
Reporting a provisional toll of 17 dead, including several corpses recovered from the sea, Mourad Turki said he fears more bodies will be found in the coming days. Because according to the testimonies of the rescued migrants, “there were between 30 and 32 people on each of the boats”. The majority of these migrants come from Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Somalia or Nigeria, according to the spokesperson, who fears other departures in the coming days. “thanks to the improvement in weather conditions”.