65 people are feared to have drowned in the Mediterranean off the coast of Tunisia after their boat sank.
The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) says 16 survivors were pulled from the water, and have now been taken to the coast by members of the Tunisian Navy.
Survivors said the boat left Libya on Thursday, but got into trouble when hit by strong waves.
It sank around 45 nautical miles off the coast of Tunisia.
Vincent Cochetel, UNHCR Special Envoy for the Mediterranean, said: “This is a tragic and terrible reminder of the risks still faced by those who attempt to cross the Mediterranean."
The UNHCR estimates that 164 people died on the route between Libya and Europe in the first four months of 2019.
Officials say one person has died in the Mediterranean for every three that have reached Europe after departing from Libya.
Mr Cochetel added: “Across the region, we need to strengthen the capacity of search and rescue operations. If we don’t act now, we’re almost certain to see more tragic events in the coming weeks and months.”
