Twenty-three Tunisians are missing at sea after attempting to clandestinely reach Europe from the city of Nabeul in northern Tunisia, according to the country’s national guard on Saturday. The national guard, which oversees the coast guard, stated that searches are still ongoing as the group set off at the beginning of May. They boarded a boat on the night of May 3-4, as stated in the press release, with the families of the missing individuals only informing the authorities ten days later. With the prosecutor’s order, the national guard announced the arrest of five individuals involved in organizing the crossing, including two missing individuals who were relatives of the organizers.
Furthermore, the national guard announced that they had thwarted two attempts at clandestine crossings to Europe, rescued fifty-two migrants, and recovered four bodies off the coast of Sfax in central Tunisia. The nationalities of the migrants rescued or drowned were not specified. In a separate incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Benin reported a shipwreck off the Tunisian coast on the night of May 16-17, 2024, involving a boat carrying fifty migrants of various nationalities, including Beninese. The statement indicated that the shipwreck resulted in numerous fatalities, with ongoing efforts to find and identify the victims. It is currently unclear if the stricken vessel is the same one from which the Tunisian authorities rescued migrants.
Tunisia, along with Libya, is a major departure point for migrants who risk dangerous sea crossings in the Mediterranean in hopes of reaching Europe. According to the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, over 1,300 migrants died or went missing in 2023 in shipwrecks near the Tunisian coast. Following pressure from Italy, the European Union reached an agreement with Tunisia last summer, which has been heavily criticized in Europe, providing financial assistance in exchange for increased efforts to reduce these departures. The act of clandestinely leaving Tunisia is now seen as a collective and accepted project.
This recent event highlights the ongoing challenges and risks faced by migrants seeking to reach Europe through North Africa. Despite efforts to prevent dangerous crossings and address the root causes of migration, tragedies at sea continue to occur, leading to loss of life and uncertainty for families. The deaths and disappearances of migrants off the Tunisian coast are a stark reminder of the perils involved in irregular migration and the need for coordinated international efforts to address the issue. The European Union’s agreement with Tunisia reflects a broader strategy to manage migration flows and enhance border security, but it also underscores the complex political and social dynamics at play in the region.
As search and rescue operations continue in the aftermath of these incidents, questions remain about the fate of those still missing at sea and the long-term implications for migration policies in the region. The tragic events off the coast of Tunisia and the subsequent response from authorities underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to managing migration that prioritizes human rights, safety, and cooperation among countries. In the face of ongoing challenges and uncertainties, it is essential for governments, international organizations, and civil society to work together to address the root causes of migration, protect vulnerable populations, and ensure dignity and respect for all individuals seeking a better life.
