Tunisia Recovers 8 Migrant Bodies After Boat Capsizes

Tunisian authorities have recovered the bodies of eight migrants and are continuing to search for six others after a boat carrying 15 people capsized off the country's southeastern coast while attempting to reach Italy. The sole survivor has been rescued, while the search for the remaining missing individuals is ongoing. The incident began when the boat departed early on Thursday, August 20, from the coasts of Ben Guerdane and Zarzis in the Medenine governorate. According to Mostafa Abdelkebir, head of the Tunisian Observatory for Human Rights, the vessel capsized shortly after setting out. By Saturday, August 22, four bodies had been recovered, and one survivor had been pulled from the water by a commercial vessel. The survivor reported being adrift at sea for approximately 48 hours before rescue. By Sunday, August 23, the National Guard spokesperson confirmed that the death toll had risen to eight, with the search operation involving coast guard, military, and civil protection teams, supported by two helicopters, still underway for the six missing passengers. Abdelkebir stated that among those on board were seven members of the same family and a man with his pregnant wife.