Dozens Dead After Migrant Boat to Europe Sinks off Tunisia

Image copyright: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images [via The Guardian]

The Facts

  • As of Friday, at least 33 people are reportedly dead after a boat carrying migrants from sub-Saharan Africa toward Europe sank off the coast of Tunisia earlier this week.

  • According to the Tunisian coastguard, 76 of the 110 migrants were rescued, with most of those killed from sub-Saharan African countries.


The Spin

Left narrative

After fraudulently designating Tunisia as a safe destination for migrants in 2019, Italy violated European law by deporting these disadvantaged men, women, and children to a country from which they were fleeing due to persecution and economic despair. And, if not immediately deported, Meloni's government places them in unsatisfactory detention centers with little food or care. This must stop, and safe routes to Europe must be implemented as per EU law.

Right narrative

While international governing bodies try to pit Italy and Tunisia against each other, the truth of the matter is that both Meloni and Saied are in agreement on the migrant issue. Tunisia is a stopping point along the way to Italy, which means both nations are dealing with the consequences of Europe's foolish open borders rhetoric. The solution is to stop the root causes of illegal immigration in the first place, not accept hordes of them that make dangerous treks and overwhelm immigration systems.