Boat carrying dozens of migrants capsized off Tunisia coast

A boat carrying dozens of African migrants capsized off the coast of Tunisia on Wednesday after setting off for Europe from Libya, a government source and the Tunisian Red Crescent said.

At least 80 migrants are feared dead after the inflatable vessel sank in waters near the town of Zarzis.

One out of four initial survivors died later in the hospital, reports said.

A government source said that some of a group of African migrants who were rescued nine miles off the town of Zarzis had informed coastguards that they had set out set out from Zuwara in Libya, and that dozens had drowned.

The country is a main departure point for migrants hoping to reach Europe.

Libya has been torn by violence and division since long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi was deposed and killed in 2011.

Thousands of migrants, many from sub-Saharan Africa, are being held in detention camps in the country.

On Wednesday at least 53 migrants were killed when a detention centre in Tripoli was hit by an air strike.