Tunisian hospital receives 19 bodies after migrant boat sinks

AI Summary

A migrant boat sank off the coast of southern Tunisia, resulting in at least 19 bodies being recovered by a hospital in Ben Guerdane. The tragedy sparked violent protests in the city, with demonstrators blocking roads and police responding with tear gas.

By Tarek Amara TUNIS, Aug 24 (Reuters) - A hospital in the southern Tunisian city of Ben Guerdane has received at least 19 bodies of migrants recovered from the sea over the past two days, the head of a migrant rights group said on Monday, following the sinking of a boat at the weekend. The sinking of the migrant boat, which carried seven members of the same family, sparked a wave of grief and anger triggering violent protests in the city on Sunday night. Protesters burned tyres and blocked roads, while police responded by firing tear gas to disperse the crowds.