Sinking off Tunisia fatal to 21 migrants

TUNIS, Tunisia — Tunisian authorities said they recovered the bodies of 21 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, including nine women and a baby, whose boat sank Friday off the central port city of Sfax. The cause was unclear.

Commander Housemeddine Jebabli of the National Guard said there were only three survivors, who were rescued by the coast guard with the help of civil protection divers.

Jebabli said authorities are continuing to search, as there are indications that 17 people could be missing. He said a survivor told him the boat carried 41 people, who had set off from Sfax the day before in hope of reaching the Italian coast.

The port city has become a common exit point for Europe-bound migrants escaping conflict or poor living conditions.