At least 23 migrants are missing after a boat set off from Tunisia in the direction of Italy, the North African country’s national guard has said.

A desperate search is underway for at least 23 migrants who went missing after their boat set off from Tunisia headed for Italy. Tunisian officials have called in the navy to help find the missing individuals, who are part of a larger wave of migrants from Africa and the Middle East attempting to reach Europe via Tunisia.

Tunisia has become a key departure point for migrants seeking to reach the West, replacing Libya as the main hub. However, this has led to increased pressure on Tunisian authorities, who are working to stem the flow of migrants as part of a deal with the European Union worth over €1 billion (£855,870).

The missing migrants were on a small boat that departed from Tunisia, and their disappearance has sparked a massive search effort. Floating units and naval vessels have been deployed to scour the waters and locate the missing individuals.

The situation highlights the ongoing migrant crisis in the region, as people from various African and Middle Eastern countries seek to reach Europe in search of better lives. The EU is working to address the crisis, but the issue remains a complex and challenging one.

The European Union’s (EU) migration crisis, sparked by the arrival of over a million migrants in 2015, remains a highly divisive issue among member states. In an effort to stem the flow of migrants, the EU has struck a deal with Tunisia to enhance border security and prevent undocumented migrants from reaching Europe.

While the number of migrants arriving in Italy has decreased by two-thirds compared to last year, critics argue that the measures have had a detrimental impact on the tens of thousands of migrants stranded in Tunisia. Tensions are rising, with activists being arrested for providing aid to migrants and clashes between migrants and law enforcement resulting in the clearance of encampments.

Despite the EU’s endorsement of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, which aims to streamline the asylum process and establish common rules for handling migrants, the reform package won’t come into force until 2026. This leaves a significant gap in addressing the immediate needs of migrants and the political crisis surrounding the issue.

As the EU grapples with finding a solution, member states are calling for more agreements with countries of origin and transit to stem the flow of migrants. However, the lack of a quick fix has fueled political divisions, with some nations resisting taking responsibility for migrants and others pushing for a more collective approach.

The issue is expected to be a key topic in the upcoming Europe-wide elections, and it remains to be seen how the EU will navigate this complex and contentious issue to find a solution that balances humanitarian concerns with political realities.

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