A security official said that the coast guard of Tunisia recovered eight bodies from the wreckage of a boat which sank near the coast on its way to Europe. He added that 29 others were also rescued.

The boat capsized in the waters near Abwabed, which is a popular departure point for African migrants.

Houssem Jebabli of the National Guard said that search operations are underway to find possible missing people.

Tunisia has become the main departure point from Africa for Tunisians seeking to reach Europe. (Reporting and editing by Toby Chopra, Bernadettebaum, and Tarek Amara)

(source: Reuters)