SFAX: The Tunisian coast guards have recovered 27 bodies of migrants seeking irregular immigration and rescued 83 others after two boats sank off the island of Kerkennah in Sfax province. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by migrants attempting dangerous sea crossings in the Mediterranean.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the Tunisian news agency reported on Thursday that the tragic incident involved migrants primarily from African countries south of the Sahara. The victims included children and pregnant women, as confirmed by the Red Crescent. The bodies have been transported to the forensics department at Habib Bourguiba University Hospital in Sfax, as stated by Dr. Hatem Al-Sherif, the health department director in the province.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that up to 1,691 people, including 74 babies, have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean in 2024. This latest tragedy underscores the perilous journey that many migrants undertake in search of a better life, and the growing humanitarian crisis in the region.