A Tunisian coastguard operation last Monday off the coast of the port city of Sfax, 250 kilometers (200 miles) south of the capital Tunis, stopped 372 migrants who were attempting to flee the country’s beaches in small, unreliable boats.
The migrant boats, many of which were overloaded and in danger of being swamped by even a slight wave, were intercepted by the coastguard using speedboats.
Reporters were told by the migrants that they had thought their boat would enter international waters, where they may be saved and carried to Europe.
According to officials, the situation is the same every night despite the calm seas as dozens of overcrowded migrant boats set off on a risky journey.
Instead, they are placed on a coast guard cutter and later transported back to Tunisia.
Migrants from all over the world attempted the sea voyage, with many coming from Bangladesh and Syria, but on this night, the majority were from sub-Saharan West Africa.
Since President Kais Saied’s order to crack down on sub-Saharan African migrants and reacted angrily to what he saw as a plot to annihilate Tunisia’s identity in February, Africans living in Tunisia have come under pressure, been forced out of their homes, and lost their jobs.
Others just want to find work or reunite with family in Europe while some are fleeing war in their home countries.
Many people mentioned experiencing racial abuse in Tunisia.
According to officials, the migrants’ little sheet metal boats are custom-made in little factories in and around Sfax.
They continue to produce despite police efforts to stop them.
The migrants are apprehended, hauled aboard the coastguard ships, and later the authorities will collect their boats.
According to the coastguard, it has prevented 13,000 attempts to leave the country illegally by sea in the first three months of 2023.
They claim that their work is hampered by several of their ships being out of commision for repairs and are appealing for tight cooperation with Italy and Malta, two of their neighbours.
When brought back to land, the majority of migrants are freed, with many intending to make the journey again as soon as possible.
