By A tragic incident occurred off the coast of Tunisia, where a boat headed towards Europe sank, resulting in the loss of at least five lives and seven people missing. The boat carried mainly Tunisians along with sub-Saharan Africans. The coastguard in Sfax managed to rescue 23 individuals and recover the bodies of five migrants. Among the victims were two women and a child. The boat sank shortly after setting off from Sidi Mansour in Sfax.
Tunisia is a common route for refugees and migrants trying to reach Europe, and the number of departures from the country has notably increased recently. A separate shipwreck took place near Gabès, with the loss of a 20-year-old Tunisian and an infant, while five Tunisians remain missing.
The Sfax court has launched an investigation to determine the reasons behind the accident. There is a possibility that nationals from sub-Saharan Africa were also on the boat and among the missing individuals. The search for any potential survivors is ongoing.
Tunisia is grappling with both economic challenges and political tensions since President Kais Saied took power in 2021. Thousands of Tunisians seek a better life in Europe each year. While Tunisian arrivals in Italy have decreased by 25% in the past year, the overall number of migrants reaching Italian shores has increased significantly.
These recent incidents mark a series of tragedies involving migrant boats departing from Tunisia. The surge in sub-Saharan Africans attempting the crossing could be linked to President Saied’s claims about irregular migrants causing concerns in the country.
Tunisians, facing economic difficulties and shortages of essential goods, have also turned to sea journeys in higher numbers. The sea journey season typically intensifies from May through autumn, despite the challenges posed by the weather.
Before these incidents, the most recent shipwreck occurred on August 7, resulting in the loss of lives. The attempts to cross the sea continue, driven by various factors including economic hardships and political tensions.
