Tunis_The mediterranean Sea remains one of the world's deadliest migration routes,as thousands of migrants from Africa and the Middle East attempt to cross it to reach Europe, often on overcrowded or unseaworthy or vessels.

At least 13 Tunisians lost their lives when a boat carrying migrants capsized off the Tunisian coast while heading to Italy, while rescue teams managed to save two people, one of whom is in critical condition.

The head of the Tunisian Observatory for Human Rights reported today, Saturday, August 22, that the boat set sail before dawn on Thursday before sinking off the Tunisian coast. He noted that one of the survivors, along with the second survivor, informed rescuers that they had been stranded at sea for hours after the boat capsized.

In July, Human Right Watch, Amnesty International, and dozens fo human rights and humanitarian organizations stated in a joint statement that the migration agreement between the European Union and Tunisia has contributed to exacerbating serious violations against migrants and asylum seekers in the country, calling for the suspension of funding for migration activities and border monitoring in which Tunisian security forces participate.

Tunisia is one of the most prominent departure points for migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean to Europe, despite a sharp decline in the number of departures over the past two years, as Tunisian authorities have tightened controls on migration and maritime borders, with EU support, funding, and surveillance equipment.