Dozens of Migrants Drown off Coast Tunisia

By Stefan J. Bos, Special Correspondent Worthy News

(Worthy News) – While much of the world focuses on the coronavirus pandemic, many migrants continue to die in the Mediterranean Sea, trying to reach Europe. In the latest incident, authorities say that the bodies of 46 people have been recovered off the coast of Tunisia. The tragedy happened after their boat capsized near the city of Sfax at the weekend.

Rescue workers, many wearing masks because of the coronavirus pandemic, dealt with more human misery. With most bodies from this latest tragedy in the Mediterranean Sea now being recovered, there seemed no hope that any one of the 53 people on board survived.

The accident ended the dreams of migrants who wanted to make the crossing to Italy start a new life in Europe, officials suggested. A court order has been issued to investigate who organized the ill-fated journey. Authorities said that among the bodies recovered so far were at least 23 women and two children.

Their bodies were brought to the Habib Bourguiba University Hospital in Sfax. The Sfax Heath Director, Ali al-Ayadi, said that “many of the bodies belong to countries from South Africa, and they are sub-Saharan citizens.” And, he added, “We hope that the identities of the bodies will be quickly identified. And that their families will bury them as soon as possible.”

Tunisian media also suggested that a large number may have come from conflict and poverty-stricken Ivory Coast. Separately, police announced that one of those who drowned was identified as a Tunisian male who allegedly piloted the boat.

MORE MISERY

Last year, 86 African migrants drowned after their boat capsized, having set off for Europe from Libya. That was one of the worst such accidents in Tunisia.

And this week’s incident underscored
concerns that many more migrants fleeing war, persecution, and poverty will die in 2020 in the Mediterranean Sea.

The International Organization for Migration says that as of last October, roughly 19,000 migrants have drowned or disappeared in the Mediterranean since 2014. Figures seen by Worthy News showed hundreds drowned this year alone.

The United Nations refugee agency says attempts to reach the Italian coast from Tunisia have jumped by 150 percent in the first four months of the year, compared to the same period last year.

Tunisia is both a transit country for migrants from elsewhere in Africa and a source of Europe-bound migration.

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