Tunisia, a country where about one-third of its land is covered by the Sahara Desert, was expected to experience some of the highest temperatures today. Despite being one of the most hostile regions on Earth, migrants often brave the Sahara in the hopes of reaching Europe via the Mediterranean Sea.

In response to a surge of racist violence in Sfax, Tunisia, a number of sub-Saharan Africans have sought refuge in a heavily fortified buffer zone along the Tunisian-Libyan border. Allegations have emerged that Tunisia has been forcibly pushing hundreds of migrants over the border into the desert, leaving them without food, water, or shelter.

Both Libya and the United Nations claim to have rescued migrants from the border area. Meanwhile, Tunisia, which recently entered into a migration agreement with the European Union, has refrained from addressing Libya's accusations.