Around twenty residents of Ghannouch, in the governorate of Gabès in southeastern Tunisia, were hospitalised Tuesday evening after inhaling gas emissions from the Tunisian Chemical Group (GCT).
While the incident caused no immediate fatalities, it has reignited longstanding concerns over the environmental and health impact of the chemical industry in the region.
Nearly twenty people were admitted to the emergency unit of Ghannouch’s local hospital after showing symptoms of asphyxiation. According to a medical source cited by Jawhara FM radio, the patients received prompt care and their condition is not considered life-threatening.
The episode has revived an old debate. The activities of the Tunisian Chemical Group, established in Gabès for several decades, have long been denounced by civil society and environmental groups. Residents blame industrial emissions for harming public health, undermining biodiversity, and threatening the sustainability of the coastal and agricultural ecosystem.
Air pollution incidents are not new to the region. Numerous environmental reports and civic campaigns have underscored the urgent need for sustainable solutions to mitigate the impact of chemical discharges. Yet, despite pledges from national and local authorities, concrete measures have been slow to materialise.
Tuesday’s incident highlights a persistent tension between industrial imperatives and public health protection. In Gabès, where the population lives in direct contact with chemical activity, the regulation and monitoring of GCT emissions remain a central concern, as residents continue to demand environmentally responsible alternatives.
MK/ac/lb/as/APA