At least 19 bodies of migrants recovered from the sea have been taken to a hospital in the southern Tunisian city of Ben Guerdane following the sinking of a migrant boat over the weekend.
The tragedy has triggered grief and anger in the region, with protests erupting in Ben Guerdane. Demonstrators blocked roads and burned tyres, while police used tear gas to disperse the crowds.
Search Operations Underway
Authorities and rescue teams are continuing efforts to locate people who may still be missing. The exact number of victims from the sunken boat remains unclear because it has not yet been confirmed whether all 19 recovered bodies came from the same vessel.
Genetic testing is being carried out to identify the bodies and establish how many of them were passengers on the boat.
Seven Members of One Family on Boat
The vessel reportedly carried seven members of the same family. The boat was travelling towards Italy when it sank.
The incident has renewed concerns over the dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean in search of better economic opportunities.
Protests Erupt in Ben Guerdane
Following the tragedy, residents and protesters demanded better living conditions, economic development and greater opportunities for young people.
Protesters said a lack of jobs and years of economic marginalisation were pushing young people to take dangerous sea routes towards Europe.
Migration Route Under Tighter Control
Tunisia has previously been one of the major departure points for migrants attempting to reach Europe by crossing the Mediterranean.
However, departures have declined significantly over the past two years following tougher maritime controls and a crackdown supported by European funding and border-monitoring equipment.
Human Rights Concerns
Human rights organisations have also raised concerns about the treatment of migrants and asylum seekers in Tunisia. Several groups have criticised the EU-Tunisia migration agreement, alleging that it has contributed to serious abuses against migrants.
