Protests erupted in the Tunisian city of Ben Guerdane on Saturday night following the sinking of a migrant boat off the country’s southeastern coast, with residents demanding answers after a deadly tragedy that claimed at least 12 lives.
The boat was carrying 15 migrants when it sank on Friday. Fourteen of those aboard were reportedly from Ben Guerdane, a marginalised city close to the Libyan border.
Twelve bodies have been recovered, while two people remain missing. Only one passenger was rescued.
Following news of the shipwreck, protesters blocked roads and set fire to tyres in the city, expressing anger and frustration over the loss of lives.
Search for Missing Migrants Continues
Search and rescue operations continued on Sunday, with local fishermen joining Tunisia’s National Guard in efforts to locate the two missing passengers.
The waters between Ben Guerdane and Zarzis have long been used as a departure point by migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe.
The latest tragedy has revived memories of previous migrant boat disasters in the region and renewed concerns over the dangers faced by people attempting the crossing.
Similar Tragedy in 2022
Ben Guerdane experienced a similar tragedy in 2022 when a boat carrying 18 people disappeared.
The incident triggered weeks of protests, with families accusing authorities of failing to conduct adequate searches for their missing relatives.
Families also alleged that some recovered bodies were buried without being properly identified or without relatives being notified.
The latest protests reflect the continuing anger among families and residents who fear that migrant deaths at sea are becoming a recurring tragedy with few answers for those left behind.
Mediterranean Route Remains Deadly
The central Mediterranean remains one of the world’s most dangerous migration routes.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than 900 people have died or gone missing along the route so far this year.
Despite a sharp decline in migrant departures from Tunisia following a 2023 agreement between Tunisia and the European Union, dangerous attempts to cross the Mediterranean have continued.
The agreement included EU funding and technical assistance for Tunisian border controls and coast guard training aimed at reducing irregular migration and disrupting human trafficking networks.
The EU allocated €105 million in migration-related support to Tunisia in 2023 alone.
Families Continue to Search for Missing Relatives
The decline in departures has done little to ease the pain of families in southern Tunisia, particularly in Zarzis and surrounding communities, where relatives have spent years searching for loved ones who disappeared while attempting to reach Europe.
The latest shipwreck is likely to intensify calls for stronger search-and-rescue efforts, greater accountability and safer alternatives for migrants attempting the perilous Mediterranean crossing.
For the families of those who died or remain missing, the immediate priority remains finding the missing passengers and ensuring that those who lost their lives are properly identified and returned to their loved ones.
