Tragedy strikes off Tunisian coast, 12 migrants drown, 29 rescued
A devastating boat sinking off the coast of Tunisia’s tourist island of Djerba has claimed the lives of 12 migrants, including babies and women, with five men and four women among the deceased.
The boat, carrying Tunisians and sub-Saharan Africans, capsized at dawn on Monday, prompting a rescue operation by coastguard units.
Medenine court spokesman Fethi Baccouche reported that 29 people were rescued, but the initial number of passengers and potential missing persons remains unknown. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
This tragic incident highlights the perilous nature of migrant crossings from Tunisia to Europe. The North African nation, along with Libya, serves as a primary departure point for those seeking to escape poverty, conflict, and economic hardship. Thousands attempt the treacherous Mediterranean crossing annually, with many facing dire consequences.
Tunisia’s economic struggles and clampdown on civil rights since President Kais Saied’s 2021 power control have driven numerous citizens to flee illegally.
Over 2,200 people have drowned while attempting the passage this year alone, making it one of the world’s most perilous migration routes.
In 2023, more than 153,000 migrants have arrived in Italy this year from Tunisia and Libya, according to the UN’s refugee agency
