Twelve bodies recovered after migrant boat sinks off Zarzis, two still missing

Search operations over two days found three bodies on Saturday and nine on Sunday. Fifteen people were aboard the vessel, fourteen from Ben Guerdane and one from Zarzis. Initially, only one person survived the shipwreck.

The boat was en route to the Italian coast when it experienced an engine failure and sank. Despite passengers wearing life jackets, adverse weather conditions dispersed the victims, complicating search efforts. Naval units from Customs, the Maritime Guard, Civil Protection, and the National Navy, supported by two helicopters from the National Guard and the National Army, are involved in the ongoing search.

Authorities have stated that all necessary resources remain mobilized and searches will continue until the missing persons are located. The recovered remains are to be returned to their families promptly.