In a heartbreaking incident on Monday, Tunisia’s coast guard recovered the bodies of 12 migrants, including three young children, after their boat sank in the Mediterranean Sea. The tragic event unfolded near the southern island of Djerba, as authorities grapple with the ongoing crisis of unauthorized boat crossings from North Africa to Europe.
According to National Coast Guard spokesperson Houssemeddine Jebabli, the ill-fated vessel had set sail with more than 50 individuals aboard, primarily from Tunisia. While 29 survivors were safely brought ashore, search operations by navy personnel and Civil Protection divers are still ongoing to locate those missing.
The cause of the sinking remains unclear, but it is one of many recent tragedies in the region. Just days prior, the bodies of 13 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa were discovered near Mahdia, a coastal town approximately 140 kilometers from Lampedusa, Italy. This area has long been a critical departure point for migrants seeking a better life in Europe, with many relying on smugglers to facilitate their perilous journeys.
Migrants from various countries, including Bangladesh, undertake this dangerous crossing every year, fleeing poverty, war, climate change, and persecution. The Central Mediterranean route, in particular, remains one of the deadliest in the world.
In recent months, Tunisia has stepped up efforts to patrol its waters, aided by European funding. This has led to a decrease in both migrant crossings and deaths. Between January and May, Tunisian authorities reported the recovery of 462 migrant bodies and the interception of over 30,000 individuals attempting to leave the country. In contrast, the same period in 2022 saw 714 bodies recovered and nearly 22,000 interceptions.
Despite these efforts, the first half of 2024 has seen around 10,000 migrants arriving in Italy by boat from Tunisia, significantly down from the previous year. The European Union’s border and coast guard agency, FRONTEX, attributed this decline to the proactive measures implemented by Tunisian, Libyan, and Turkish authorities.
While unauthorized migration to Europe has decreased overall, there has been a noticeable rise in migrant arrivals to the Canary Islands, suggesting that as maritime security increases in the Mediterranean, migrants are exploring alternative routes to reach the continent.
The recent tragedies highlight the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to the migrant crisis, addressing the underlying issues that compel individuals to undertake such dangerous journeys in search of safety and stability.
Sources By Agencies
