Tunisia: Fifteen bodies discovered on Mahdia beaches, Maritime Guard investigates

Fifteen bodies were found washed ashore on the beaches of Mahdia, on October 26 and 27, with discoveries concentrated along the coastlines of Salakta, Chebba, and Malloulech. This tragic incident has raised immediate concerns and prompted an official investigation.

Ferid Ben Jha, the spokesperson for the courts of Monastir and Mahdia, confirmed that the Mahdia Public Prosecutor’s Office has authorized the Maritime Guard units to launch a judicial investigation into this grim case. The investigation will seek to determine the identities of the deceased, the circumstances that led to their deaths, and any potential connections to migrant routes commonly used in attempts to cross the Mediterranean.

The recent discovery adds to the growing number of bodies found on Tunisia’s coastline, and highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis as migrants and refugees attempt dangerous sea journeys from North Africa to Europe. Authorities will coordinate with forensic experts to identify the victims and explore any links to recent shipwrecks or reports of missing persons in the region.

The tragedy has underscored the urgent need for collaborative regional efforts to address both the immediate issues of unsafe migration and the broader factors driving these perilous journeys.