In a harrowing development, 27 migrants, including women and children, have lost their lives after two boats capsized off the central Tunisian coast near the Kerkennah Islands.
Authorities rescued 83 others in an operation confirmed by Zied Sdiri, head of civil defence in Sfax, who disclosed that all passengers were from sub-Saharan African countries, attempting to reach Europe in search of a better life.
The tragedy unfolded between December 31 and January 1, when two makeshift boats carrying a total of 110 migrants departed from the Sfax region.
Search efforts are ongoing to locate additional missing passengers, with 15 of the rescued requiring hospital treatment. Among the deceased was a baby, the National Guard revealed in a statement.
This incident adds to a growing number of migrant deaths in Tunisian waters. On December 31, a five-year-old child was among two Tunisians who perished when their boat broke down off northern Tunisia.
Earlier in the month, on December 18, at least 20 sub-Saharan migrants died in a shipwreck near Sfax, while five were rescued.
Such tragedies underscore the peril of the Mediterranean crossing, attempted by tens of thousands of people annually.
According to UNICEF, over 2,200 migrants, including hundreds of children, have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean in 2024, with nearly 1,700 fatalities on the central route alone.
Tunisia, alongside neighboring Libya, serves as a critical departure hub for migrants embarking on the treacherous journey to Europe.
The Italian island of Lampedusa lies a mere 150 kilometers (90 miles) from Tunisian shores, making it a common target for irregular migration.
Economic hardships, including high inflation, unemployment, and sluggish growth, drive many Tunisians and sub-Saharan Africans to undertake these dangerous voyages.
To curb irregular migration, the European Union allocated €105 million to Tunisia in 2023, alongside €150 million in budgetary support, as part of a broader agreement supported by Italy.
This funding has enhanced Tunisia’s capacity to intercept migrant boats, resulting in a decline in arrivals in Europe.
However, the risks remain dire, with 600 to 700 migrants reported killed or missing in Tunisian waters in 2024 alone, according to the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES).
The Mediterranean crisis highlights the plight of those fleeing violence and poverty, with children making up one-fifth of all migrants, UNICEF noted.
Efforts by international agencies and governments aim to address these challenges, but the ongoing loss of life underscores the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to tackle the root causes of migration and provide safer alternatives.
This latest tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the human cost of irregular migration and the pressing need for coordinated global action to address this persistent crisis.