Thousands Protest Tunisia's Environmental Crisis Linked to State Chemical Plant Pollution

Hundreds to thousands of Tunisians have been protesting in the capital, Tunis, and the southern city of Gabes over severe environmental pollution caused by a state-owned chemical plant discharging toxic waste into the sea. Residents blame this pollution for rising health issues, including respiratory diseases, osteoporosis, and cancer, with recent protests ignited by dozens of schoolchildren hospitalized due to toxic fumes. Protesters accuse the government of repression and demand the permanent closure and relocation of polluting facilities, while the government has arrested some individuals for violence during demonstrations. President Kais Saied has called the situation an "environmental assassination" caused by previous governments' policies and has ordered repairs to stop leaks and plans to build a cancer hospital in Gabes, though protesters find these measures insufficient. The protests represent the biggest challenge to Saied since he took power in 2021, amid broader economic and political instability. Authorities fear that unrest in the capital could inspire protests across Tunisia, escalating the pressure on the administration.