In an incident off Tunisia’s shores, at least 13 Sudanese migrants have lost their lives, with 27 more unaccounted for, following the capsizing of their vessel. The tragedy unfolded in the Mediterranean, a perilous passage for those in pursuit of a new beginning in Europe. The Tunisian coast guard’s rescue operation managed to save only two individuals from the disaster, which occurred 14 kilometers from the port of Chebba.
The survivors, hailing entirely from Sudan, recounted their harrowing journey, revealing that 42 souls had embarked on this perilous trek from Sfax, a notorious launchpad for such desperate voyages to Italy. The ill-fated journey ended abruptly, the boat succumbing to the sea shortly after departure, shared regional court spokesperson Farid Ben Jha.
Irregular migrants are seen on a boat as an operation is carried out by the Tunisian National Guard, against migrants who want to reach Europe illegally via the Mediterranean Sea, off the city of Sfax in Tunisia on August 12, 2023. (Photo: Yassine Gaidi / Anadolu Agency/ AFP)
This incident explains an escalating crisis, with Tunisia witnessing a surge in migration attempts. Both Tunisians and Africans from abroad are risking everything on these treacherous crossings. Last month, migration activists raised alarms over the treatment of migrants in Tunisia, including mass expulsions and arbitrary arrests, amid escalating attempts to cross from the North African nation to Europe.
The Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights has highlighted the acute distress faced by migrants, particularly around Tunisia’s borders with Libya and Algeria and near Sfax. The city, lying a mere 188 kilometers from the Italian island of Lampedusa, has become a focal point for those fleeing turmoil in hopes of a safer, more prosperous life in Europe.
