Forensic deaths among irregular migrants in Northern Tunisia and Monastir region (2012-2024).

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyse the epidemiological and thanatological characteristics of medico-legal deaths of irregular migrants in northern Tunisia and the Monastir region.

STUDY

DESIGN

A retrospective and descriptive study.

METHODS

All cases of forensic death of irregular migrants over 13 years, from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2024, who underwent forensic examination in the Forensic Medicine departments of the Charles Nicolle University Hospital in Tunis and the Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital in Monastir were investigated. Data were collected from testimonies provided by the victims' relatives, judicial requisition data, and forensic examination records. Different variables were integrated with a focus on socio-demographic characteristics, chronological circumstances of death, and thanatological information.

RESULTS

There were 184 deaths with a male predominance (sex ratio = 2.4). The mean age was 28.4 ± 10.1 years. The majority were sub-Saharan Africans (98.9%). Deaths were mostly of natural causes (48.40%). Infectious diseases were the leading cause of natural death (66.3%) with a predominance of pulmonary tuberculosis (42.4%). Violent deaths were mostly accidental (87.7%) occurring mainly at home (52%) and often related to carbon monoxide poisoning (88.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

The death of irregular migrants highlights urgent measures combining prevention, protection, and governmental and non-governmental cooperation to ensure their safety and dignity.