Heartbreak in Tunisia: 3-year-old Mariam’s body found three days after being swept out to sea

Dubai: What began as a joyful summer outing ended in heartbreak for a Tunisian family after their three-year-old daughter, Mariam, was swept out to sea by strong winds. Her body was recovered three days later near Djerba.

The tragedy unfolded on Saturday at Kelibia beach, a popular coastal destination in northeast Tunisia. Mariam had been floating with her mother on a small inflatable ring, secured by a rope. But a sudden gust of wind snapped the tether, and the child drifted away — carried by the sea into deeper waters.

Her father, watching helplessly from the shore, dove in and swam over 1.5 kilometres in a desperate attempt to save her. Exhausted and gasping, he nearly drowned before being rescued by Mariam’s uncle. But by then, Mariam had disappeared beneath the waves.

For three days, the nation watched in hope and anguish as a massive search effort unfolded. About 20 professional divers, drones, sonar equipment, and rescue boats were deployed by Tunisia’s Civil Protection and military teams, covering miles of coastline.

On Tuesday, Mariam’s body was discovered floating off the coast near Djerba — far from where she had vanished.

Images of the bright-eyed toddler have since gone viral on Tunisian social media, sparking an outpouring of grief and renewed debate over beach safety. The heartbreaking loss has amplified national concern over the lack of protocols at public beaches, including inadequate signage, the absence of trained lifeguards, and insufficient emergency response readiness.

Online, Mariam has become a symbol of sorrow — and a call to action. Many are urging authorities to implement urgent reforms to prevent such tragedies from happening again.