Dozens of African migrants capsized off Tunisia after setting off by boat for Europe from Libya, a government source and the Tunisian Red Crescent said.
Some of the four survivors told the Tunisian coast guard the boat sunk off Zarzis, Red Crescent official Mongi Slim told Reuters.
One of the four died later in hospital, Slim said.
A government source said a group of African migrants rescued nine miles off Zarzis informed coastguards they set out from Zuwara in Libya and dozens had drowned.
At least 65 migrants heading for Europe from Libya drowned last May when their boat capsized off Tunisia.
Libya’s west coast is a main departure point for African migrants hoping to reach Europe with the help of human traffickers. Numbers dropped due to an Italian-led effort to disrupt smuggling networks and support the Libyan coast guard.
Fighting in Libya has made the situation more difficult for people-trafficking rackets international aid officials warn it could prompt more Libyans to flee.
