40 Missing After Migrant Boat Sinks in Mediterranean Sea

Rescue efforts continue off Lampedusa, but rough seas and low survival odds hinder the search for migrants who departed from Tunisia on Sunday.

A rubber boat carrying at least 56 migrants sank in the Mediterranean Sea after departing from Sfax, Tunisia, on March 16, 2025.
Six bodies, all men, were recovered, and ten survivors were rescued and brought to Lampedusa.
Italian authorities report that 40 individuals remain missing, with survival chances considered low due to rough seas hampering rescue operations.
The Mediterranean migration route remains one of the deadliest globally, with over 2,200 deaths or disappearances reported in 2024, according to UN estimates.
Lampedusa continues to serve as a key destination for migrants, with 66,000 arrivals recorded in 2024, highlighting ongoing challenges in managing migration safely.