Tunisian hospital receives 19 bodies after migrant boat sinks

A hospital in Ben Guerdane, southern Tunisia, received at least 19 bodies of migrants from the sea over the past two days, according to Mostafa Abdelkebir, head of the Tunisian Observatory for Human Rights. This occurred following the sinking of a migrant boat on the weekend, which carried seven members of the same family. The tragedy sparked violent protests in the city on Sunday night, with demonstrators burning tires and blocking roads, prompting police to deploy tear gas to disperse the crowds.

The protesters are demanding better living conditions and economic development, arguing that a lack of opportunities and years of marginalization are pushing young people to undertake perilous sea crossings to Europe in search of a better life. The identities of the 19 bodies have not been confirmed, as genetic testing is being conducted to determine how many were aboard the sinking boat. Simultaneously, searches continue for other individuals who may still be missing.

Tunisia, once a major departure point for migrants crossing the Mediterranean, has seen a significant decline in departures over the past two years. This decline is attributed to a crackdown and tighter maritime controls, supported by European funding and modern border-monitoring equipment, particularly from Italy. Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have criticized the EU-Tunisia migration deal, stating that it has fueled and normalized serious abuses against migrants and asylum seekers in Tunisia.