The Tunisian Football Federation announced the postponement of the Union Ben Guerdane vs. Hammam El Nif match, originally scheduled for Saturday, to a later date due to a migrant boat sinking. At least 13 Tunisians were lost, two were rescued, and four bodies were recovered.
Match Postponement
The federation expressed its deepest condolences to the people of Ben Guerdane and the families of the victims, stating that the decision was made out of humanitarian duty and respect for the emotions of the victims' families and the city's residents. No new date has been set, with the match to be played at a later time.
Incident Details
The head of the Tunisian Human Rights Observatory, Mustapha Abdelkbir, said the boat left early on Thursday. Most of those on board were young people, including seven from the same family, a man and his pregnant wife. At least 13 Tunisians were missing, two were rescued, and four bodies were recovered.
Response
One survivor reported being trapped in the sea for hours after the boat capsized, while the second survivor is in critical condition. The spokesperson for the National Guard, Houssameddine El Djabbali, confirmed that coast guard units, supported by aircraft and naval units, are conducting search operations for the missing migrants.
Broader Context
Tunisia is a major departure point for migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean, but the number of departures has sharply declined over the past two years following a stringent anti-migration campaign and enhanced maritime surveillance with European funding and modern border-monitoring equipment.
