TUNIS: Tragedy struck the coasts of Tunisia and Western Sahara as sixteen migrants lost their lives in separate shipwrecks, with dozens more reported missing. The incidents highlight the perilous nature of irregular sea crossings from North Africa to Europe, as migrants and asylum seekers embark on dangerous voyages in search of a better life.
In Tunisia, at least eleven migrants perished in a shipwreck off the coast of Sfax, a city in the northern part of the country. The initial toll of four fatalities was revised upwards, and another 44 individuals remain unaccounted for, according to Faouzi Masmoudi, a local court spokesman. Two survivors were rescued from the vessel, which carried a total of 57 people, all hailing from sub-Saharan African countries. The makeshift boat had departed from a beach north of Sfax over the weekend, with authorities engaged in an ongoing search for more survivors.
Across the border, authorities in Morocco reported a separate tragedy. The bodies of five migrants from Senegal were recovered, and 189 others were rescued after their boat capsized off the coast of Western Sahara. The migrants were transferred to a hospital in Dakhla, the second-largest city in the disputed Western Sahara region. The capsized boat had set sail from a southern location and was en route to Spain’s Canary Islands before being discovered near the coast of Guerguart, situated just north of Mauritania.
Surge in Migrants’ Deaths
Migrant deaths have surged in recent years as individuals flee conflicts or extreme poverty, attempting to cross the perilous Mediterranean Sea in search of safety and a better life in Europe. The central Mediterranean route has proven to be the world’s deadliest migration path, accounting for over 20,000 fatalities since 2014, according to data from the International Organization for Migration.
Survivor testimonies indicate that approximately 30 migrants are missing following two unrelated sinkings near Italy’s Lampedusa. These ill-fated boats had departed from Sfax last week. Tunisian authorities discovered the bodies of twelve migrants washed ashore north of Sfax between Friday and Sunday, with investigations ongoing to determine any links to the shipwreck near the Kerkennah Islands, situated across from Sfax.
Tunisia’s interior ministry reported that by July 20, this year had witnessed the recovery of 901 bodies from maritime accidents in the Mediterranean, alongside the rescue or interception of 34,290 migrants. A significant number of these migrants hailed from sub-Saharan African countries.
While some migrants have embarked on the perilous journey seeking refuge and opportunities, they have faced xenophobia, challenges, and even loss of life. The journey has been further complicated by shifting political and social dynamics in the region, including increased hostility toward migrants following controversial statements by Tunisian President Kais Saied. The recent events underscore the urgent need for coordinated international efforts to address the humanitarian crisis and provide support for those affected by these perilous journeys.
