Africa: Approximately 40 migrants die off the coast of Italy (according to media reports)

Dakar — Around 40 migrants lost their lives off the coast of Italy after the vessel they were on capsized, having departed from Tunisia, as reported by several media outlets.

“The vessel, carrying 45 people, left Sfax, Tunisia on Thursday morning before sinking a few hours later in the Sicilian Channel,” reported France24 on their website.

According to the account of the four survivors as reported by Radio France Internationale (RFI), at least 41 migrants lost their lives in this tragedy.

“According to their testimonies, these refugees were saved from drowning thanks to their life jackets, with only a third of them having them on board, and thanks to another empty vessel found at sea, onto which they boarded. They drifted for four days before being rescued on Tuesday, August 8th, by a Maltese cargo ship,” RFI informed.