Tunisia’s Migration Crisis Deepens as Another Migrant Boat Sinks

Eight Dead, 29 Rescued as Search Continues for Missing

Another tragedy unfolded off Tunisia’s coast this week as authorities recovered the bodies of eight African migrants whose boat sank near the port city of Sfax. The Tunisian coastguard rescued 29 survivors, but search operations remain ongoing for others who may still be missing, according to national guard official Houssem Eddine Jebabli.

The sinking occurred near Abwabed, a known hotspot for migrant departures, as thousands attempt the perilous Mediterranean crossing to Europe. The incident underscores Tunisia’s escalating role as a primary launch point for migration—now surpassing even Libya in departures.

“The situation is dire. Every week, more lives are lost in these waters,” said a local aid worker, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the issue. “People are desperate, and the routes are deadly.”

Tunisia Overtakes Libya as Migration Epicenter

Once a secondary route, Tunisia has become the dominant departure zone for African migrants fleeing conflict, economic collapse, and political instability. Smugglers capitalize on the country’s proximity to Italy’s Lampedusa island, just 130 kilometers away—a short but treacherous journey in overcrowded, unseaworthy vessels.

European pressure on Libya to curb departures has inadvertently shifted trafficking networks toward Tunisia, where authorities struggle to manage the influx. The country’s own economic woes and racial tensions have further complicated the crisis, with reports of violence against sub-Saharan migrants surging in recent months.

A Recurring Nightmare

This latest shipwreck follows a grim pattern. In 2023 alone, over 1,300 migrants died or went missing in the central Mediterranean, according to UN data. Yet despite the risks, departures continue unabated. Many survivors describe being packed into flimsy boats with no life jackets, at the mercy of smugglers and rough seas.

As search teams scour the waters near Abwabed, the broader question remains: With no safe pathways to Europe and conditions worsening across Africa, how many more will attempt this deadly crossing?