Radio Mosaique reported that 17 bodies have been recovered so far, and a search is underway for missing persons, in an incident where an irregular migration boat sank off the coast of the island of Djerba.
The radio said, “Naval Guard and Civil Protection units, diving teams, and a number of sailors from Djerba and Zarzis are participating in the ongoing search operations for the fourth day in a row,” noting that “some of them left the search areas as a result of strong winds.”
The Public Prosecutor at the Court of First Instance in Medenine, Fathi Al-Bakoush, confirmed that “the number of survivors reached 34 people.”
For years, the Tunisian coasts have witnessed a large influx of illegal immigrants wishing to reach the southern coasts of the European Union countries, where these operations resulted in the drowning of thousands, according to statistics from the International Organization for Migration.
Last January, European Union leaders discussed in Brussels an agreement with Tunisia, aimed at combating migration and controlling smugglers’ networks. The European proposal includes granting Tunisia long-term financial assistance with the aim of financing anti-immigration operations, including purchasing boats, mobile radars, cameras and vehicles, to enhance control. Tunisia’s land and sea borders.
Last updated: October 3, 2024 – 17:02
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2024-10-06 07:42:41