Nine migrants found dead from cold in western Tunisia

The bodies were found in recent days in a mountainous area near Haïdra, in central-western Tunisia, not far from the border with Algeria. An investigation was opened and  » an autopsy ordered to determine the causes of death « , Kasserine court spokesman Riadh Nwiwi told AFP.

The Economic and Social Rights Forum (FTDES), which follows migration issues in Tunisia, said in a statement that  » according to preliminary data, the nine migrants died of cold, thirst and fatigue « .

According to the FTDES,  » migrants travel great distances in hostile climates for multiple reasons: to escape wars and tragedies, difficult economic conditions or climate change « .

In addition, the FTDES called for the establishment  » of a reception and humanitarian orientation system at the Algerian-Tunisian border to ensure the provision of basic humanitarian services  » on these  » deadly migratory routes « .

Between January and April, the number of irregular entries of migrants into the European Union through the central Mediterranean increased by almost 300% compared to the same period of 2022, reaching 42,200, according to the European agency Frontex. From Tunisia, some of whose coasts are only 150 km from Italy, Frontex observed  » a growth of 1,100% compared to last year  » over the same period.