Shocking new tactic emerges as migrants 'self-smuggle' with own boats to reach Europe

More migrants are making their own boats to cross the Mediterranean Sea, alarming analysis has revealed.

Some of those arriving in Tunisia – dubbed a transit hub for tens of thousands of people hoping to reach Europe – are increasingly turning to “self-smuggling” to save money.

Construction will usually take place in a house or in woodland areas close to the beach, the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime said.

A report by the think tank said: “Sub-Saharans are now involved in boat construction, a major development that underlines the growing complexity of the local smuggling landscape.

“While at least one instance of this was identified in Mahdia in August 2022, frequency and volume has surged since then.

“Most construction is concentrated in Sfax, although an incident in Gabès in February suggests that foreign migrants may also be building boats in less high-profile departure areas.

“Boats manufactured for migrancy are typically made of iron and wood. However, sub-Saharans are also reported to be making small inflatable boats using plastic materials.

“Construction usually takes place in migrants’ houses near departure points or in wooded areas close to beaches.

“It is unclear which nationalities are predominantly involved, but in at least two reported cases the migrants were from Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire.

“Some sub-Saharans build boats for their own sea crossings, while others reportedly sell them to fellow migrants.”

Migrants arriving in Tunisia will typically depart from Sfax towards the Italian island of Lampedusa. But asylum seekers will also use launch points in Monastir, Mahdia, Djerba Island and Zarzis.

Those hoping to reach Europe are said to have grown frustrated with the high prices of smugglers operating in the country.

Criminals are offering routes across the Mediterranean for between €1,340 and €2,077.

But there has also been a spike in social media posts advertising “self smuggling” after migrant boats – often packed with hundreds of people at a single time – sink in the Mediterranean.

Researchers from the GIATOC added: “There was increased coordination within the migrant community.

“Moreover, the growing number of irregular migrants spending extended periods of time in smuggling hubs led to improved contact with smugglers and a deeper knowledge of the process.

“As the presence of sub-Saharans grew, their contact with Tunisians increased over time.

“They now know how to acquire the necessary equipment to build boats from different materials and have become familiar with departure points and navigation routes towards Italy.

“The growth of self-smuggling has implications for enforcement and migrant safety. Eschewing smuggling networks is likely to elevate the risk of interception, and migrants lack the connections with security officers necessary to facilitate their passage.

“Furthermore, self-smuggling has intensified the dangers of sea crossings for non-Tunisians due to low quality boats and inexperienced pilots.

“Despite these risks, self-smuggling is expected to increase further and contribute to sustained transit migration through Tunisia in 2024.”