Migrant Tragedy Off Tunisia: 27 Dead, 83 Rescued in Capsized Boats
Tragedy Off Kerkennah Islands
Twenty-seven migrants, including women and children, have died after two boats capsized off central Tunisia, with 83 people rescued, a civil defence official told AFP on Thursday. The rescued and dead passengers, who were found off the Kerkennah Islands, aimed to reach Europe and were all from sub-Saharan African countries, said Zied Sdiri, head of civil defence in the nearby city of Sfax.
Tunisia: A Key Departure Point for Migrants
Tunisia, as well as neighbouring Libya, is a key departure point for irregular migrants seeking to reach Europe for a better life. Italy’s island of Lampedusa is only 150 kilometres (90 miles) from Tunisia.
Perilous Journey Across the Mediterranean
Totalling 110, the migrants were on board two makeshift boats that set sail off "the coast near Sfax on the night of December 31 to January 1", a National Guard official said on condition of anonymity. Searches were still underway for other possible missing passengers, said the official. Sdiri said 15 out of the 83 rescued were taken to a hospital, without providing further details.
National Guard Confirms Death Toll
The National Guard, which oversees the coast guard, later confirmed the death toll in a statement, adding that a baby was among the dead. It was the latest such tragedy off Tunisia over the past month.
Recent Incidents
On December 31, the National Guard said two Tunisian migrants, one of them a five-year-old, died after their boat broke down off Tunisia’s northern coast. Days earlier on December 18, the National Guard said at least 20 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa died in a shipwreck off Sfax, with five rescued. And on December 12, the coast guard rescued 27 African migrants near Jebeniana, north of Sfax, but 15 were reported dead or missing.
The Human Cost of Migration
Each year, the perilous Mediterranean crossing is attempted by tens of thousands of people. Among them are also thousands of Tunisians seeking to leave their country, which is grappling with economic woes marked by high inflation, unemployment, and sluggish growth.
International Support
Under a 2023 agreement, Brussels has given 105 million euros ($108 million) to debt-ridden Tunisia to help it curb irregular migration, in addition to 150 million euros in budgetary support. The deal, strongly supported by Italy’s hard-right government, aimed to bolster Tunisia’s capacity to prevent boats leaving its shore, with some money also going to United Nations agencies assisting migrants. It has contributed to an increase in irregular migration interceptions off the North African country’s shores and a marked drop in arrivals in Europe.
UNICEF: ‘Hundreds of Children’
The Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES) had counted "between 600 and 700" migrants killed or missing in shipwrecks off Tunisia in 2024, compared with more than 1,300 in 2023. Overall, the United Nations children’s fund, UNICEF, said in a statement on Wednesday that, "The death toll and number of missing persons in the Mediterranean in 2024 have now surpassed 2,200, with nearly 1,700 lives lost on the central Mediterranean route alone." It added that the tally included "hundreds of children, who make up one in five of all people migrating through the Mediterranean. The majority are fleeing violent conflict and poverty."
Frontex: Irregular Border Crossings Down 64 Percent
Frontex, the EU’s border agency, has said that irregular border crossings were down 64 percent last year through September for the central Mediterranean route.
Conclusion
The tragic incident off the Kerkennah Islands is a grim reminder of the risks and dangers faced by migrants seeking to reach Europe. As the number of deaths continues to rise, it is essential that international efforts are strengthened to address the root causes of migration and provide safe and legal pathways for those seeking a better life.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many people were on board the two boats that capsized off Tunisia?
110 - How many people were rescued?
83 - How many people died?
27 - What was the cause of the incident?
The boats capsized due to unknown reasons, but it is believed to be related to rough seas and poor weather conditions. - Who is responsible for the tragedy?
The incident is being investigated by the National Guard, but it is unclear if any individuals or entities are responsible for the tragedy. - What is being done to prevent similar incidents in the future?
The Tunisian government has implemented measures to prevent boats from leaving its shores, including increasing the number of coast guards and implementing stricter regulations on boat departures.