TUNIS: The bodies of 22 people believed to be sub-Saharan migrants were found off the coast of the Tunisian port city of Sfax in recent days, said a spokesperson for the Sfax court on Tuesday.
Hichem Ben Ayed, the court spokesperson, informed AFP that the bodies were found at the Sidi Youssef port since Saturday, and they have been transferred to a local morgue. While the deceased are presumed to be of sub-Saharan African origin, the circumstances surrounding their deaths and their mode of travel remain unclear.
Authorities have not yet determined whether the migrants perished aboard one or multiple vessels, with Ben Ayed providing no additional details regarding the incident.
In a related development, Tunisian authorities announced the arrest of five persons implicated in organizing irregular crossings to Europe from the Tunisian coastline. The arrests signify the ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and illegal migration operations in the region.
Tunisia, along with neighboring Libya, serves as a significant departure point for thousands of migrants, often originating from various countries, who embark on perilous sea voyages in pursuit of better opportunities in Europe.
Situated approximately 130 kilometers (80 miles) from the Italian island of Lampedusa, Sfax serves as a crucial transit hub for migrants traversing through or originating from North Africa.
