Tunisia recovers bodies of 9 migrants off eastern coast

TUNISIA

The Tunisian National Guard’s Maritime Guard units recovered the bodies of nine irregular migrants who lost their lives after their boat capsized off Tunisia’s eastern coast, authorities said Thursday.

The National Guard said in a statement that the Maritime Guard received an urgent report about a boat carrying irregular migrants that broke down and capsized off Mahdia.

Rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the area, saving 27 people despite adverse weather conditions. The bodies of nine migrants were also recovered, it added.

The deceased migrants were identified as nationals of sub-Saharan African countries. Injured survivors received first aid on-site before being transferred to a nearby port.

According to a National Guard report released in June, the bodies of 714 irregular migrants were recovered in 2023, while 462 were found from January to May this year.

*Writing by Elif Tugtekin