Residents of the Tunisian coastal town of Ben Guerdane attended funerals on Wednesday, August 26th, 2026, for eight young migrants who drowned after the boat they were traveling in sank in the Mediterranean Sea on Friday, August 22nd. The migrants were among approximately 15 people who set off on Thursday morning from a location between Zarkis and Ben Guerdane, aiming to reach the Italian island of Lampedusa, about 145 kilometers away.

A survivor reported being adrift for about 48 hours before being rescued by a commercial vessel. At the funeral, Zarkis resident Ali Eknis paid respects to the deceased, describing them as “young people [who] dreamed of a better future.” He said, “They embarked on the road to death, taking the difficult route by sea, because of the miserable conditions they were living in.”

Protesters in Ben Guerdane on Sunday highlighted the town's long-standing economic marginalization and called for urgent action to improve local conditions that drive residents to risk such dangerous journeys. Local resident Hamza Ardhawi stated that the situation in the town is worsening every year.

Earlier in August, reports indicated that migrant deaths on this Mediterranean route had more than doubled in the first four months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. At least 914 migrants have died or gone missing along this sea route so far this year.

Residents have urged local and regional authorities to implement public projects and measures to facilitate the private sector and create permanent jobs. They emphasized, “When someone is wounded, you have to treat them. You cannot leave them until the situation gets worse.”

Sources