<p>At least 20 African migrants died when their boat sank off Tunisia on Thursday as they tried to cross the Mediterranean to the Italian island of Lampedusa, a Tunisian security official said.</p>.<p>The coastguard rescued five people and was searching for about 20 others who were still unaccounted for, the official told Reuters.</p>.<p>The coastline near the Tunisian port city of Sfax has become a major departure point for people fleeing conflict and poverty in Africa and the Middle East and searching for a better life in Europe.</p>.<p>"The boat sank about six miles from the coast of Sfax. Twenty bodies were recovered, five others were rescued, and all are from sub-Saharan Africa," the security official, Ali Ayari, said.</p>.<p>Around 45 people were on the boat when it sank, he added.</p>
<p>At least 20 African migrants died when their boat sank off Tunisia on Thursday as they tried to cross the Mediterranean to the Italian island of Lampedusa, a Tunisian security official said.</p>.<p>The coastguard rescued five people and was searching for about 20 others who were still unaccounted for, the official told Reuters.</p>.<p>The coastline near the Tunisian port city of Sfax has become a major departure point for people fleeing conflict and poverty in Africa and the Middle East and searching for a better life in Europe.</p>.<p>"The boat sank about six miles from the coast of Sfax. Twenty bodies were recovered, five others were rescued, and all are from sub-Saharan Africa," the security official, Ali Ayari, said.</p>.<p>Around 45 people were on the boat when it sank, he added.</p>