34 MIGRANTS INCLUDING CHILDREN MISSING AFTER BOAT CAPSIZES OFF TUNISIAN COAST.

Not less than 34 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa including children and babies are missing off the Tunisian coast after their boat capsized, as authorities believe the boat was heading for Italy.

It is the fifth migrant boat to sink in two days, with seven people confirmed dead so far, and 67 still missing.

The Tunisian coast guard has reportedly stopped 56 boats from leaving the country, bound for Italy, in the past two days.

Houssem Jebabli of the Tunisian National Guard said that more than 3,000 migrants had been detained attempting to leave the country, with Tunisia now a launch pad for migrants to leave, bound for Europe.