Thirty inhabitants of the Ghannouch delegation, in the governorate of Gabès, were victims of poisoning on the night of Tuesday September 9, 2025 following toxic gas emissions from the industrial zone. The incident caused a wave of local and national indignation, reviving the debate on chronic pollution that strikes the Gabès region.
According to the local council of Ghannouch, more than thirty people, suffering from breathing difficulties, had to be transferred to the basic health center to receive first aid. The victims, including children and the elderly, were inconvenienced by gas issued in the industrial zone during the night.
In a statement, the local council denounced “serious environmental violations” and demanded the immediate opening of an investigation to identify responsibilities. He also called on companies to strictly comply with health and environmental standards, warning that the pursuit of these practices directly endangers the lives of the inhabitants.
The FTDES denounces an unpunished ecocide
The Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES) confirmed the incident on Wednesday, qualifying the situation “unpunished ecocide”. The organization recalls that the inhabitants of Ghannouch, Chatt Essalem and Bouchemma had already pointed out, last August, strong stifling gas leaks.
The FTDES accuses the authorities of “systematic abandonment” of the region, criticizing the Ministry of the Environment and that of industry inactive in the repetition of such episodes. The organization calls for the application of the decree of June 29, 2017, which provides for the end of the pouring of phosphogypsum at sea and the dismantling of polluting units of the Tunisian chemical group (GCT).
In parallel, the forum rejects the ammonia and green hydrogen production project envisaged in Gabès, believing that it was “imposed without consultation with the inhabitants” and that it risks aggravating the ecological crisis.
A highest pollution rate
The Gabès region has long been in the heart of an showdown between civil society and authorities. Collectives such as “Stop pollution” or “we want to live” denounce an among the highest levels of pollution in the country. In October 2023, A gas leak had incorporated students to Chatt Essalemwhile in March 2021, An explosion in an asphalt factory had claimed the lives of six workers.
