Tunisian navy finds dozens of bodies off the coast

The Tunisian navy has recovered 31 bodies off the country’s coast. Two children were among the victims, a National Guard spokesman said Monday.

The lifeless bodies were found near several locations, including the North African coastal cities of Sfax and Mahdia. The people probably come from sub-Saharan countries. It was initially unclear whether boats with migrants on board were in distress before.

A number of migrants are currently making the perilous journey across the Mediterranean to Europe. The boats are often not seaworthy and there are always fatalities during the crossing. Eleven drowned migrants were recovered this weekend in Sfax.

Nearly 200 people have died in boating accidents off the Tunisian coast this year, according to the non-governmental organization Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES). Italy’s Interior Ministry counted more than 31,000 people reaching Italy by boat this year – up from about 7,900 in the same period last year. Tunisia is now considered the main transit point for migrants on their way to Italy – even ahead of civil war country Libya .

Many migrants have wanted to leave Tunisia since President Kais Saied announced a tougher crackdown on them in February. He accused them of bringing violence and crime into the country. Since then, hostilities and racist attacks have increased. (oee/sda/dpa)