Omanghana
Tunisian security forces have recovered 12 bodies following the sinking of a migrant boat off the country’s southeastern coast, according to an updated statement from the National Guard.
The vessel was carrying 15 Tunisian nationals who were reportedly attempting to reach Italy through the central Mediterranean route.
One person has been rescued alive, while search teams continue looking for the two remaining passengers.
Initial reports placed the death toll at eight, with six people missing. That figure rose as coast guard and naval teams recovered additional bodies during continuing operations.
Boat Was Carrying 15 People
The vessel reportedly departed early on Thursday from the coastal area between Zarzis and Ben Guerdane in Tunisia’s southeastern Medenine governorate.
Most of those on board were young residents of the Ben Guerdane area near the Libyan border.
The boat is believed to have sunk approximately 14 nautical miles, or 26 kilometers, off the coast of Zarzis while travelling toward Italy.
The precise cause of the sinking has not yet been publicly established.
Only Survivor Spent 48 Hours at Sea
A passing commercial vessel rescued the sole known survivor after he had reportedly spent approximately 48 hours drifting at sea in a life jacket.
Information provided by the survivor helped authorities determine the approximate location of the sinking and begin wider search operations.
Tunisian officials subsequently deployed coast guard boats, military units and helicopters to the area.
Search Continues for Missing Passengers
The search operation has involved personnel from the Tunisian military, National Guard, coast guard, civil protection service and maritime customs.
Two helicopters have also supported the operation from the air.
Authorities initially recovered three bodies before finding additional victims as the search area expanded. The National Guard later announced that 12 bodies had been retrieved in total.
With one survivor accounted for, two of the 15 passengers remained missing under the latest official figures.
Seven Relatives Were Reportedly on Board
The head of the Tunisian Observatory for Human Rights said seven members of the same family were among the passengers.
A man and his pregnant wife were also reportedly travelling on the vessel.
All the passengers were said to be from the Ben Guerdane area, deepening the impact of the disaster on the border community.
Families and local residents gathered for news as the recovery operation continued.
Protests Erupt in Ben Guerdane
Dozens of young people demonstrated in Ben Guerdane after reports of the sinking reached the community.
Protesters burned tyros and blocked roads while demanding that authorities intensify and accelerate efforts to find the missing passengers.
Police reportedly used tear gas to disperse some of the demonstrators.
The protests reflected both grief over the shipwreck and frustration about the pace of the initial search operation.
Central Mediterranean Crossing Remains Deadly
Tunisia is one of the main departure points for people attempting to reach Europe across the Mediterranean.
The country’s coastline is relatively close to the Italian island of Lampedusa, making it a major departure area for Tunisian citizens and migrants from other African and Middle Eastern countries.
The central Mediterranean remains one of the world’s deadliest migration corridors. Boats used for the journey are frequently overcrowded, unseaworthy or poorly equipped for emergencies.
Although departures from Tunisia have reportedly declined following stronger maritime controls and migration agreements with the European Union, fatal crossings continue.
Source: Omanghana
