Five more bodies recovered after irregular migration boat sinks off Zarzis, death toll expected to rise
Five additional bodies were recovered on Sunday, August 23, 2026, following the sinking of an irregular migration boat off the coasts of Zarzis and Ben Guerdane, according to Mostafa Abdelkebir, president of the Tunisian Observatory for Human Rights. He stated that the death toll could increase as search operations continue. This development follows the public prosecutor's office opening a judicial inquiry to determine the circumstances of the incident. Search and rescue operations are ongoing at sea, involving maritime coastal and floating units of the National Guard, in coordination with the National Navy, and supported by a helicopter. The identification of victims and the establishment of a definitive list of deceased and missing persons depend on the continuation of these operations. The incident occurred on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, when the boat, carrying fifteen people, departed from the Ben Guerdane and Zarzis region heading towards Italy. The vessel sank approximately 14 nautical miles offshore. Initially, one survivor was rescued by a commercial ship's crew. The National Guard had confirmed 15 passengers were on board after contradictory information circulated. The judicial inquiry, initiated by the public prosecutor's office, aims to determine the exact circumstances of the boat's departure, the conditions of the crossing, and any responsibilities related to this irregular migration operation. Authorities are continuing searches for those still missing. The sink