Tunisian authorities rescued 612 migrants and recovered 18 bodies after multiple boat disasters off the Mediterranean coast near Sfax. The migrants, primarily from sub-Saharan Africa, were attempting the perilous journey to Europe when their boats capsized or broke down. The rescue operations, conducted by Tunisia’s national guard, took place overnight, with distressing images showing exhausted survivors, including women and children, clinging to buoys.
Among the rescued, some were visibly unconscious or lifeless, highlighting the deadly risks of the Mediterranean crossing. In one particularly tragic moment, a woman was seen struggling to lift a child, whose body appeared rigid and unresponsive, onto a rescue boat. The national guard confirmed that it had also thwarted multiple other attempts at irregular migration.
Tunisia and Libya have become key departure points for migrants hoping to reach Europe, with Italy’s Lampedusa island lying just 150 kilometers away. Every year, tens of thousands attempt the journey, often facing dangerous conditions. Despite increased efforts by European and North African authorities to curb migration, the Mediterranean remains one of the world’s deadliest migration routes.