Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africa News
Published on 2024-02-16 10:35:02
Tunisia’s coast guard recently recovered the bodies of nine individuals who tragically lost their lives after their boat sank in the Mediterranean Sea. The incident adds to the growing list of disasters involving migrants attempting to cross over to Europe. The coast guard managed to rescue 45 people from the sinking boat, which had started to take on water approximately four miles off the coast of Zarzis, a common departure point near Tunisia’s border with Libya. According to coast guard spokesman Houssameddine Jbabli, the boat, carrying non-Tunisian passengers, likely set off from Libya. The survivors were transported to a local hospital in Tunisia for medical attention.
This latest incident comes just weeks after a large boat carrying an estimated 54 Tunisians, who were likely attempting to migrate to Europe, went missing at sea. The disappearance led to protests by relatives in the city of El Hancha, demanding information and a government response to the increasing number of Tunisian youth disappearing while attempting to cross the Mediterranean.
Migrants’ rights groups, such as the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES), have criticized the government for not doing enough to save the lives of those at sea. FTDES representative Romdhane Ben Amor stated that authorities have focused more on preventing migrants from reaching Italy, rather than addressing the humanitarian crisis at hand. Ben Amor’s organization reported that a record 1,313 migrants had died at sea off the Tunisian coast in 2023, underlining the country’s status as the primary departure point for migrants aiming to reach Europe.
In 2021, a greater number of migrants entered Europe from Tunisia compared to Libya, Morocco, or Turkey. According to data compiled from Europe, Tunisia, and U.N. agencies, FTDES reported that more than 80,000 migrants had been intercepted at sea in 2023, more than double the figure from the previous year. This includes a growing number of both Tunisians and sub-Saharan Africans, including individuals from Guinea, Cote D’Ivoire, and Sudan, as indicated by U.N. figures.
These incidents highlight the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean, with migrants facing perilous journeys in search of better opportunities in Europe. The lack of effective measures to address the root causes of migration and provide safe and legal pathways for those seeking asylum continues to result in tragic loss of life at sea. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains crucial for governments and international organizations to work towards comprehensive solutions that prioritize the protection and well-being of migrants.
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