Tunisia Migrant Deaths: Death toll rises to 48 after migrant boat capsizes off coast Sunday

World
Europe

02:32

Italy's new coalition government is accusing Tunisia of sending convicts as migrants to Europe. The comments came from Italy's new Interior Minister, as he toured migrant camps in Sicily. Tunisia has condemned the remarks. The diplomatic row comes as Tunisia reels from a deadly weekend disaster. CGTN'S Adnen Chaouachi has the details.

At least 50 illegal migrants have drowned late on Sunday when their boat, transporting some 200 people, sank off Kerkennah's Island in Sfax while heading to the Italian island of Lampedusa. The death toll is expected to increase. 68 people including women and children have been rescued by the National Guard.

AYOUB GHEDAMSI, LAWYER TUNISIAN HUMAN RIGHTS LEAGUE "Over 200 migrants lived for a week on an island. Then those 200 people got on a boat which was only supposed to carry 70. This is not the first tragedy and it won't be the last one."

The first remains of the shipwrecked illegal immigrants were handed over to their families. Tunisians are mourning their death.

RIDHA BEN AMAR MERCHANT "The condition of any individual does not justify the crazy and risky decision to cross the sea. I have two unemployed sons. It does not mean that they will opt for illegal migration which is a problem and not a solution."

Tunisia is in a state of shock. Nevertheless, some people are convinced that illegal migration is an irresponsible decision.

RIADH HENI CIVIL SERVANT "It is sad and a tragedy. Illegal migration is a normal reaction when one is facing unemployment and poverty. Illegal migrants have lost confidence in the state. These people felt they had nothing to lose. They felt they were already dead."

A migrants smuggler was arrested in Sfax by the National Guard's Coast Guard units. The individual was wanted over formation of an attempt to illegally leave the country to escape from a previous 12 years sentence.

ADNEN CHAOUACHI TUNIS, TUNISIA "Tunisian authorities have urged families to warn their sons and daughters about the dangers of trying to cross the Mediterranean. It's also expensive -- survivors of this tragedy say smugglers charged around 1-thousand 7-hundred dollars per person for the journey. With no guarantee of reaching European shores. AC, CGTN, Tunis."