Eleven people have been confirmed dead after a boat carrying Tunisian migrants sank off the country's southeastern coast, while search teams continue looking for three missing passengers.

The death toll from a migrant boat sinking off Tunisia's southeastern coast has risen to 11, as search and rescue operations continue for three people still missing, Tunisian authorities said.

Houssem Eddine Jebabli, spokesperson for Tunisia's National Guard Directorate-General, said rescue teams recovered eight additional bodies during the latest phase of the operation, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths to 11 after three bodies had been recovered earlier.

The boat, carrying 15 Tunisian migrants, capsized off the coast of Ben Guerdane in the southeastern Medenine governorate while attempting to reach Italy across the Mediterranean. Only one survivor has been rescued so far after being found at sea by a passing commercial vessel nearly 48 hours after the accident.

Search operations remain underway with the participation of units from the coast guard, navy, customs and civil protection, supported by two military helicopters, as authorities continue efforts to locate the remaining missing passengers.

According to local reports, most of those on board were from the border city of Ben Guerdane, including several members of the same family. The tragedy sparked protests in the town, where residents demanded that authorities intensify search efforts for the missing.

Tunisia remains one of the main departure points for migrants attempting the dangerous Central Mediterranean crossing to Europe, one of the world's deadliest migration routes despite a recent decline in departures following tighter border controls. (ILKHA)