Mohamed, a 30-year-old taxi driver, left home without saying goodbye or packing belongings, joining 39 other Tunisians on a boat.

Among them were a woman and her four-month-old baby.

In 2023, over 1,300 migrants died or went missing near the Tunisian coast due to dangerous sea conditions.

Tunisians were among the largest groups of irregular migrants arriving in Italy, with 17,304 Tunisians and 18,204 Guineans recorded.

The European Union provided financial aid to Tunisia to help reduce migrant departures, as the country's economy was stagnant with 0.4% growth and high unemployment around 40%.

Political tensions also arose after President Kais Saied seized power in July 2021.

FTDES, a Tunisian rights organization, stated that those who have gone missing from El Hencha, primarily from the middle class, have a pessimistic view of the future.

Romdhane Ben Amor, a spokesperson for the organization, explained that economic and social factors are not the only reasons for irregular migration.

Political instability and despair among Tunisians who doubt the country's future also contribute significantly.

Mohamed Jalloul, a fishmonger, shared his son Mohamed's desire to migrate for a better future.

Despite his pleas for Mohamed to wait for better weather, the 17-year-old left, determined to make the perilous journey.

Mohamed Lafi, Mohamed's brother, explained that with daily earnings of only 20 dinars ($6), Mohamed had few prospects for a stable future.

A 22-year-old migrant named Yousri Henchi dropped out of high school and earned a low income working at an Internet cafe.

His uncle, Mohamed Henchi, explained that Yousri and other frustrated youths were influenced by successful migrants' experiences on social media, viewing Europe as a paradise.

Yousri's father, Jalloul, urged him to undergo vocational training and migrate legally, but he left without skills or qualifications.

Jalloul remains hopeful that the boat Mohamed boarded may have reached neighboring Libya, but searches have yielded no leads.

A grieving father lamented the disappearance of his son, who was part of a group trying to illegally cross from Tunisia to Italy.

The group was facilitated by a local smuggler, who has angered the families of the missing.

They are urging Tunisian authorities to improve economic conditions, education, and cultural activities in El Hencha to prevent more young people from attempting dangerous crossings.

The town's mayor, Henchi, agrees and emphasizes the need to expand the industrial zone and create job opportunities.