Boat set off from the Tunisian coastal town of Sfax. There were 42 people on board, all Sudanese.
Two people were rescued. Tunisia has replaced Libya as the main exit country for people fleeing poverty and conflict in other parts of Africa and the Middle East towards Europe. Last year, nearly 1,000 people who drowned off Tunisian coast, authorities said. That is more than in any previous year. The boat sank shortly after setting sail - while trying to cross the Mediterranean.