World · Africa · 11 hrs ago
At least 23 inmates died in Tunisian prisons during summer heat
At least 23 people died in Tunisian prisons during the summer of 2026, according to local rights groups and Amnesty International.
The deaths were linked to extreme heat and harsh prison conditions, including overcrowding and inadequate sanitation and health services.
Power cuts and water shortages made the heat worse, while cells were reported to reach 45 degrees Celsius without ventilation.
Tunisia’s prison authorities said in July they had taken all necessary measures to deal with the heatwave.
The Tunisian League for Human Rights gathered information from doctors, lawyers and prisoners’ relatives, but has been barred from prison visits for a year.
Several older and prominent detainees were reported to have suffered, including Ennahda leader Rached Ghannouci, who fainted several times.
Tunisian authorities have not yet provided official information about the deaths.
At least 23 people died in Tunisian prisons during the summer of 2026 amid extreme heat and poor prison conditions, according to local rights groups and Amnesty International.
The Tunisian authorities had not provided official information about the reported deaths.
The Tunisian League for Human Rights first raised the alarm, drawing on information from doctors, lawyers and prisoners’ relatives.
Prisons were already reported to be overcrowded and to have inadequate sanitation and health services.
Power cuts and water shortages added to the strain during a summer heatwave.
- Who
- At least 23 prisoners in Tunisia died, according to rights groups and Amnesty International.
- What
- The deaths were reported during extreme summer heat and amid poor prison conditions.
- When
- During the summer of 2026.
- Where
- Prisons in Tunisia.
- Why
- The deaths were attributed to extreme heat and inhumane prison conditions, compounded by power cuts and water shortages.
Tunisian prison authorities
Rights groups
Heat response
Tunisian prison authorities
In July, the prison administration said it had taken “all necessary measures” to address the heatwave.
Rights groups
Rights groups reported at least 23 prisoner deaths during the summer amid extreme heat and inhumane prison conditions.
The prison administration said it had taken all necessary measures to deal with the heatwave.
At least 23 prisoners reportedly died amid extreme heat and poor prison conditions.
Investigative journalist Mohamed Yousfi was arrested shortly before he was due to be interviewed about the water crisis.
Il Fatto Quotidiano published an account of the reported prison deaths.
- Reported deaths
- At least 23 prisoners
- Period
- Summer 2026
- Heat
- Temperatures reached 45 degrees in overcrowded cells, according to the article
- Prison conditions
- Overcrowding and inadequate sanitation and health services
- Power and water
- Repeated power cuts and water shortages
- Rights group
- Tunisian League for Human Rights
What people are saying
all necessary measures
I fear that this was my last visit.