Massive Protests Erupt in Gabès Over Chemical Plant Amid Growing Environmental and Health Concerns
November 13, 2025213 VuesTemps de lecture: 1 minutes
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Hundreds of citizens gathered today in Gabès, a city in southeastern Tunisia, for a large protest coinciding with a court hearing that aims to evaluate the halt of operations at a local chemical complex. Residents have accused the facility of causing significant environmental pollution that has persisted for decades.
The demonstrators carried banners demanding the dismantling of the complex, which they believe is a primary source of degradation to the marine and agricultural environments in the region. They highlighted that by-products from its operations, particularly "phosphogypsum," have led to a nearly complete loss of biodiversity in the Gabès Bay, with recent scientific studies indicating a decline of over 90%.
Participants also voiced concerns over increasing health issues, as Gabès reports high rates of respiratory illnesses such as asthma, along with cancer cases, compared to other Tunisian governorates.
This grassroots movement is part of a series of protests and sit-ins organized by civil and union groups, calling on judicial authorities to make decisive decisions to protect residents and the environment, and to address what they describe as "chronic negligence" in managing industrial pollution issues.
