At least 12 die, 10 missing as migrant boat sinks off Tunisia

At least 12 die, 10 missing as migrant boat sinks off Tunisia

At least 12 people died, including three infants, and 10 others were missing after their boat sank on Monday off the Tunisian coast at Djerba as they sought to cross the Mediterranean to Europe.

The coast guard rescued 29 people who had been on board the crowded boat, an official said.

Human Rights Observatory, a local rights group, said that all the migrants on board were Tunisians bar two Moroccans.

Tunisia is facing an unprecedented migration crisis and has replaced Libya as the major departure point for both Tunisians and people from elsewhere in Africa seeking a better life in Europe.