By : Lloyd Mahachi

A devastating migrant boat accident off the coast of Tunisia’s Djerba island has claimed the lives of at least 12 people, including three children.

The boat, carrying migrants seeking better lives in Europe, capsized at dawn on Monday. A judicial official confirmed the deaths, with 29 people rescued. The cause of the sinking remains unknown.

Tunisia and neighboring Libya have become key departure points for migrants risking dangerous Mediterranean crossings. The exodus is fueled by Tunisia’s stagnant economy, with only 0.4% growth in 2023 and soaring unemployment.

The North African country has also faced political tensions since President Kais Saied’s power grab in July 2021. Each year, tens of thousands attempt the crossing, often targeting Italy’s Lampedusa island, just 150 kilometers away.

This tragedy is part of a larger crisis. Since January 1, at least 103 makeshift boats have capsized, and 341 bodies have been recovered off Tunisia’s coast. Last year, over 1,300 people died or disappeared in shipwrecks off Tunisia.

The International Organization for Migration reports over 30,309 migrant deaths in the Mediterranean in the past decade, including more than 3,000 last year. Rights groups and authorities continue to raise awareness about the dangers of these crossings.

The Tunisian National Guard was alerted by four migrants who swam back ashore. Investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.

As the migrant crisis persists, international attention focuses on addressing the root causes of these perilous journeys and ensuring safer, more humane solutions for those seeking a better life.

Editor : Josephine Mahachi