Tunisia: 12 migrant bodies recovered after boat sinks

Twelve bodies have been recovered at sea after a boat carrying 15 Tunisian migrants sank off the coast of Zarzis in southeastern Tunisia. The National Guard announced Sunday that two individuals are still missing, and search operations continue. Three bodies were found Saturday, with nine more recovered Sunday, bringing the total to 12. One person had been rescued earlier.

Residents of Ben Guerdane, a town near the Libyan border from which 14 of the migrants originated, protested the shipwreck. They blocked roads and set tires ablaze in response to the announcement. The fifteenth migrant was from Zarzis.

Tunisia's coast is approximately 145 kilometers (90 miles) from the Italian island of Lampedusa, making it a primary departure point for migrants attempting the perilous journey to Europe. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) identifies the Central Mediterranean as the world's deadliest migration route. The IOM reported that migrant deaths on this route more than doubled in the first four months of 2026 compared to the same period last year, with at least 914 migrants dead or missing this year alone.

In 2023, Tunisia entered into a 255 million euro ($290 million) agreement with the European Union. A significant portion of this funding was allocated to combating irregular migration and enhancing Tunisia's capacity to prevent boats from departing its shores. This accord received support from Italy's far-right government.

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The search operations made it possible to recover three bodies yesterday and nine today, bringing the total to 12.