Tunisians report finding 41 bodies, mostly Syrians, drowned on way to Europe
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Tunisian authorities say the country's coast guard has recovered at least 41 bodies of migrants, mostly Syrians, who drowned trying to sail to Europe.
Mustapha Abdel Kebir, mayor of Ben Guerdane, a border town with Libya, said that identity papers recovered from the bodies Saturday indicate that most were Syrian and the dead include women and children.
Abdel Kebir said the boat most likely sailed from Libya and the currents washed the bodies up on Tunisian shores.
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He added that fishermen reported seeing many more bodies in the sea over the past days.
With the breakdown in security in neighboring Libya, it has become a major jumping off point for boats carrying Syrian and sub-Saharan African refugees seeking a better life in Europe.