Tunisian Chemical Factory Protests Turn Violent in Gabes
Thousands rally against the Tunisian Chemical Group factory, accusing it of causing health issues and environmental damage.
GABES, Tunisia: Thousands of people gathered in southern Tunisia on Wednesday to protest against an aging chemicals factory, blaming it for a series of health issues and environmental problems.
The demonstration, organized by the Stop Pollution collective, demanded the closure of the Tunisian Chemical Group plant due to its alleged role in causing respiratory diseases, cancer, and pollution in the area.
The rally began with around 2,000 participants but eventually grew into a crowd of several thousand.
Protesters chanted slogans such as "We want to breathe" and carried signs reading "Stop genocide," "Gabes without oxygen," and "The complex is killing us under the state's watch".
The demonstration turned violent when police fired large amounts of tear gas at the protesters, with some individuals fainting due to the gas.
Residents of Gabes have accused the factory of releasing potentially cancer-causing waste into the Mediterranean Sea, leading to collapsed fishing stocks and beach pollution.
In recent weeks, scores of people have been hospitalized in the city, with many attributing their illnesses to the plant's operations.
The situation escalated on Wednesday when 122 individuals had to be treated or hospitalized due to health issues blamed on the factory.
Protesters emphasized their demand for action, as several residents have lost family members to cancer and suffer from respiratory conditions themselves.
Marwa Salah, a cardiologist at Gabes Regional Hospital, expressed her desire to live without the pollution caused by the factory.
The Tunisian flag was prominently displayed during the rally, with participants calling for an end to what they perceive as state inaction on this issue.
The plant has been accused of using outdated equipment and suffering from gas leaks, factors that contribute to its alleged detrimental impact on the local population's health.
Despite previous promises from the Tunisian government to gradually close the factory in 2017, authorities have since announced plans to increase production instead.
Experts have raised doubts about the feasibility of cleaning up a facility that has been operational since 1972.
The demonstration, organized by the Stop Pollution collective, demanded the closure of the Tunisian Chemical Group plant due to its alleged role in causing respiratory diseases, cancer, and pollution in the area.
The rally began with around 2,000 participants but eventually grew into a crowd of several thousand.
Protesters chanted slogans such as "We want to breathe" and carried signs reading "Stop genocide," "Gabes without oxygen," and "The complex is killing us under the state's watch".
The demonstration turned violent when police fired large amounts of tear gas at the protesters, with some individuals fainting due to the gas.
Residents of Gabes have accused the factory of releasing potentially cancer-causing waste into the Mediterranean Sea, leading to collapsed fishing stocks and beach pollution.
In recent weeks, scores of people have been hospitalized in the city, with many attributing their illnesses to the plant's operations.
The situation escalated on Wednesday when 122 individuals had to be treated or hospitalized due to health issues blamed on the factory.
Protesters emphasized their demand for action, as several residents have lost family members to cancer and suffer from respiratory conditions themselves.
Marwa Salah, a cardiologist at Gabes Regional Hospital, expressed her desire to live without the pollution caused by the factory.
The Tunisian flag was prominently displayed during the rally, with participants calling for an end to what they perceive as state inaction on this issue.
The plant has been accused of using outdated equipment and suffering from gas leaks, factors that contribute to its alleged detrimental impact on the local population's health.
Despite previous promises from the Tunisian government to gradually close the factory in 2017, authorities have since announced plans to increase production instead.
Experts have raised doubts about the feasibility of cleaning up a facility that has been operational since 1972.
