After their boat capsized off the shore of the Kerkennah Islands, Tunisian authorities rescued 25 additional undocumented asylum seekers and recovered at least 27 bodies.
According to a health official, 27 irregular refugees’ bodies were recovered by Tunisian police after their boat overturned off the country’s east coast.
Sfax province’s regional health director, Hatem Al-Sharif, announced on Thursday that 25-further asylum seekers had been saved after their boat capsized off the kerkennah Island’s shore on Wednesday.
According to him , the boat was transporting undocumented migrants from sub-Saharan Africa.
Authorities in Tunisia reported Monday that their homemade boat broke down off the country’s northern shore, resulting in the recovery of two bodies and the rescue of seventeen others.
The National Guard reports that between January and May 2024, Tunisian authorities recovered the bodies of 462 migrants, compared to 714 over the same time period in 2023.
In 2024, 30,281 migrants were saved over the same time period, compared to 21,652 the year before.
Due to escalating political and economic unrest, Tunisia has emerged as a major entry point for undocumented migrants into Europe. Authorities in Tunisia declare that irregular efforts have been thwarted almost every week.
In a memorandum of agreement of address migration and other challenges, the European Commission promised $132 million in aid to Tunisia in September 2023.
