TUNIS, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from an irregular migrant boat sinking off the southeastern coast of Tunisia has risen to 19, following continued search and rescue operations, private radio station Jawhara FM reported Monday.
Local rescue units, assisted by volunteer fishermen, recovered bodies off the coasts of the town of Ben Guerdane and Zarzis in the province of Medenine, the report said.
Maritime authorities said search and rescue operations remain underway to locate any remaining missing persons.
The incident occurred late Friday night after the Zarzis Maritime Center received distress alerts concerning a vessel carrying more than 15 irregular migrants, including a pregnant woman.
The boat was heading toward the Italian coast when it suffered an engine failure and subsequently capsized, according to preliminary reports and survivors.
Investigations indicate the victims included nationals from sub-Saharan African countries.
Authorities said some of the recovered bodies may be linked to a separate shipwreck reported earlier in the same maritime area.
Located in the central Mediterranean, Tunisia is one of the most popular transit points for illegal immigration to Europe.
