Kathmandu— At least thirteen Tunisian citizens are missing after a migrant boat capsized off the coast of Tunisia while attempting to reach Italy, according to the Tunisian Observatory for Human Rights. Two individuals were rescued following the incident which occurred early Thursday morning; one survivor reported being stranded at sea for hours and the other is in critical condition. The sinking highlights the ongoing dangers faced by migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea despite increased efforts to control departures from Tunisia.

Declining Migrant Crossings, Increased Risk

Tunisia has historically been a significant departure point for individuals attempting to reach Europe, including those from across Africa. However, the number of crossings originating from Tunisia has decreased in recent years due to increased crackdowns and tighter maritime controls supported by the European Union. Despite these efforts, the risks remain extremely high, with thousands having perished since 2014 while trying to cross the Mediterranean.

EU-Tunisia Migration Deal Under Fire

The incident comes amid criticism of a 2023 deal between the EU and Tunisia aimed at curbing migration. Forty-six rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, jointly condemned the agreement in July, stating it has led to “reckless and violent interceptions at sea” and “collective and summary expulsions.” The groups have called for a suspension of EU funding related to migration control activities involving Tunisian security forces.

Mediterranean Migration Crisis

The International Organization for Migration estimates that over 35,000 people have gone missing in the Mediterranean Sea since 2014. The Tunisian Observatory for Human Rights previously estimated around 10,000 Tunisians alone have disappeared at sea while attempting to reach Europe since 2011.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing, though hopes of finding additional survivors diminish with each passing hour. This incident is likely to further fuel debate surrounding migration policies in the region.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.