Tunisia: 612 African Migrants Rescued, 18 Bodies Recovered Off Sfax Coast

Tunisian National Guard units rescued 612 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa during multiple operations early Monday morning near Sfax. Authorities also recovered the bodies of 18 individuals following several boat capsizes, highlighting the ongoing migration attempts across Tunisia’s coastline despite local and international efforts to curb them.

According to the Tunisian National Guard’s statement, several rescue and interception operations took place overnight between March 16 and 17. Migrants, including women and children, appeared severely exhausted, with some using makeshift flotation devices.

Tunisia remains a key departure point, alongside Libya, for migrants attempting to reach Europe via the Mediterranean Sea. Its proximity—less than 150 kilometers—to Italy’s island of Lampedusa makes it a common route for irregular migration.

In July 2023, Tunisia entered into a partnership with the European Union, initiated by Italy, which provided financial support of €150 million, plus an additional €105 million specifically dedicated to combating irregular migration. These measures significantly intensified interception efforts, reportedly resulting in a noticeable reduction in migrant arrivals in Italy in 2024.

According to Italy’s Nova agency, the number of migrants arriving in Italy dropped by approximately 60% within a year. In 2024, departures from Libya accounted for 41,425 migrants, while those from Tunisia fell sharply to 19,246—a decrease of around 80%. Additional migrants originated from Turkey and Algeria, underscoring the complexity and diversity of migration routes in the region.