Tunisian coastguards have recovered the bodies of five women and a young girl from the eastern coast of Tunisia, according to judicial sources.
The operation took place two days ago off the coast of the Monastir Governorate.
Fried Ben Jha, the spokesperson for the Monastir and Mahdia courts, reported that the bodies were found near the shore.
The deceased included five women and a child estimated to be between two and three years old.
The forensic pathologist believes that the bodies likely drowned about a week ago and are probably those of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa.
An investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances of the incident and whether it involved illegal migration or human trafficking.
North African countries have become major departure points for migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean to Italy. The closest Italian coast is approximately 150 kilometers from Tunisia’s shores.
In 2023, more than 1,300 migrants lost their lives or went missing in boat accidents off the Tunisian coast, according to official Tunisian statistics.
Between the beginning of this year and mid-May, 103 migrant boats have sunk, as reported by the Tunisian Ministry of the Interior.
