The Tunisian coast guard today recovered the bodies of eight African migrants whose boat sank off the country’s coast during an attempt to cross to Europe, a security official said, adding that another 29 people were rescued.

The boat sank off the city of Amouabed, near Sfax, a departure point often used by African migrants.

Rescue operations are ongoing to locate missing persons, said National Guard official Houssem Eddine Jebabli.

Tunisia is facing an unprecedented migration crisis, having replaced Libya as a major departure point for Tunisians and migrants of other African nationalities seeking a better life in Europe.