According to a human rights group, at least 19 refugees and migrants from sub-Saharan Africa drowned off the coast of Tunisia while attempting to cross the Mediterranean and reach Italy. The incident was reported on Sunday, while Italy’s ANSA news agency stated that more than 2,000 asylum seekers had arrived on the Italian island of Lampedusa within 24 hours, which was described as a “record.” Romdhane Ben Amor, an official at the Forum for Social and Economic Rights (FTDES), confirmed the deaths and said that the incident occurred when a boat carrying the refugees and migrants sank off the coast of Tunisia’s Mahdia after leaving from Sfax beaches. The Tunisian coast guard was able to rescue five people from the boat, but authorities have not yet commented on the incident.
According to United Nations data, a significant increase in the number of refugees and migrants setting sail from Tunisia has been observed this year. At least 12,000 people who reached Italy this year left from Tunisia, compared to only 1,300 in the same period of 2022. This increase in departures is notable since previously, Libya was the main point of departure for refugees and migrants. The Forum for Social and Economic Rights (FTDES) reports that Tunisia’s coast guard prevented more than 14,000 refugees and migrants from setting off in boats in the first three months of this year, compared to only 2,900 during the same period last year. On Thursday, the Italian coast guard rescued around 750 asylum seekers in two separate operations off the southern coast of Italy. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed concerns on Friday that Europe could face a significant wave of refugees and migrants arriving from North Africa if financial stability in Tunisia is not maintained.
