Kathmandu— A search is underway off Tunisia’s southeastern coast for two people still missing after a migrant boat carrying fifteen individuals sank late Friday while attempting to reach Italy. The tragedy has ignited widespread grief and anger, culminating in protests Sunday night in the city of Ben Guerdane where fourteen of the migrants originated, as residents demand improved economic conditions and opportunities to prevent further dangerous sea crossings.

Search Efforts Underway

Volunteers using fishing boats continued searching the waters near Zarzis on Monday for the two remaining missing individuals. Tunisian media reports that one survivor drifted at sea for approximately 48 hours before being rescued by a commercial vessel. By Sunday, authorities had recovered the bodies of twelve people from the wreckage, which occurred roughly 14 nautical miles (26km) off the coast of Zarzis.

Protests Erupt in Ben Guerdane

The deaths have fueled protests in Ben Guerdane, where demonstrators burned tires and blocked roads on Sunday night. Tunisian National Guard responded by deploying tear gas to disperse the crowds. Protesters voiced demands for better living conditions and economic development, citing a lack of opportunities as a primary driver pushing young people towards perilous journeys to Europe.

Calls for Accountability and Mourning

Mostafa Abdelkebir, head of the Tunisian Observatory for Human Rights, revealed that seven members of the same family were among those on board the ill-fated vessel. He reported that a Ben Guerdane hospital had received at least nineteen bodies of migrants recovered from the sea in the past two days, though it remains unclear if all are connected to this specific sinking. Genetic testing is being conducted to identify the deceased and determine the total number of passengers. Imad Oulad Jibril, a lawmaker, described the incident as “the tragedy of a nation that sees its youth fleeing the hardships of the land only to be swallowed by the sea.” The opposition Democratic Bloc party linked the sinking to Tunisia’s economic struggles, questioning why crossing the Mediterranean has become more appealing than life within the country.

Recurring Tragedy

This incident is not isolated; Tunisia has experienced similar tragedies in recent years. In 2018, over 100 people died or went missing after a migrant boat sank near Kerkennah, leading to the dismissal of the then-interior minister. Zarzis also witnessed protests following the deaths of at least eighteen migrants in another sinking incident in 2022. Tunisia’s proximity to Lampedusa, Italy – just 145 km (90 miles) away – makes it a frequent departure point for those attempting the dangerous Mediterranean crossing.

The central Mediterranean remains the deadliest migration route globally, with at least 821 migrants dying or going missing on the route this year alone, more than double the number during the same period last year. Across the entire Mediterranean Sea, over 1,065 people have perished or disappeared while attempting to reach Europe.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.