Search operations conclude for Zarzis shipwreck victims, all fifteen bodies recovered

The General Directorate of the National Guard announced on Thursday, August 27, 2026, that the last body was recovered on Wednesday, August 26, bringing the search to a close. Fourteen of the victims were from Ben Guerdane and one from Zarzis. Only one person involved in this irregular migration attempt survived.

Extensive resources were deployed for the search, including naval units from the Maritime Guard, Maritime Customs, Civil Protection, and the National Navy, along with two helicopters from the National Guard and the National Army. The General Directorate of the National Guard stated that operations were continuous, with direct monitoring by the President of the Republic and supervision by senior officials. The Tunisian League for Human Rights LTDH had previously called for a serious, independent, and transparent investigation into the shipwreck, which it described as a "human tragedy."

The LTDH highlighted that eight of the victims belonged to the same family and two were university graduates. The organization urged authorities to determine the exact circumstances of the shipwreck and identify any responsibilities, particularly those of networks exploiting vulnerable individuals seeking irregular migration. The LTDH also emphasized that irregular migration should not be viewed solely from a security perspective