The perilous journey across the Mediterranean claimed the lives of five migrants off Tunisia’s coast on Monday, adding to a week’s death toll of 11. Tunisia’s coastguard retrieved the bodies near the city of Sfax as part of ongoing efforts to curb the escalating migrant crisis in the region.
The surge in migrant deaths underscores the challenges faced by authorities amidst favorable weather conditions, which have facilitated increased crossings from North Africa to Italy. Since Friday, Tunisian security forces have prevented over 3,000 migrants, primarily from sub-Saharan Africa, from embarking on the dangerous voyage to Europe.
Monday alone saw 633 individuals intercepted by security forces, while 120 smugglers were apprehended, indicative of the scale of illicit migration activities in the area. Tragically, a shipwreck off the Italian coast claimed the life of a 15-month-old girl over the weekend, further highlighting the dangers faced by migrants seeking refuge in Europe.
In a recent development, an oil tanker in the Mediterranean rescued 139 people from an unseaworthy vessel, with three migrants still missing at sea. The Italian coastguard transported the rescued individuals, who were originating from various African countries, Syria, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, to Lampedusa.
Efforts to address the migrant crisis include agreements between Italy and Albania to redirect rescued migrants to reception centers in Albania, which aim to relieve pressure on overcrowded facilities in Lampedusa. Similarly, a controversial deal between the EU and Tunisia aims to curb trafficking and illegal crossings through financial aid to the North African country.
Moreover, bilateral agreements between Italy and Tunisia seek to address labor shortages in Italy by facilitating the employment of Tunisian workers, offering a potential solution to migration issues through economic opportunities.
Despite these measures, the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES) reports over 1,300 migrant deaths in 2023 alone, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to the ongoing humanitarian crisis. While the number of arrivals in Italy has decreased compared to previous years, the perilous journey across the Mediterranean remains fraught with danger, underscoring the complex challenges authorities and humanitarian organizations face in addressing irregular migration.