A Gambian identified as Aziz is among 35 African migrants who died after their boat bound for Europe capsized off the coast of Tunisia. 

Aziz’s full identity couldn’t be ascertained 
but Tunisian authorities confirmed that he’s a Gambian, according to Ebrima Drammeh, Italy-based Gambian migrant activist. 

Tunisia has seen a surge in African migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe. 
This has caused a rise in anti-migrant sentiment in the North African country leading to attacks on African migrants by Tunisians including the police. 

Last month, Tunisian securities were alleged to have set a makeshift camp sheltering 500 Gambian migrants on fire, and killed one.

Meanwhile last week the International Organisation for Migration facilitated the voluntary return of 141 stranded Gambian migrants from Tunisia.  

Reporting by Adama Makasuba