Overview
- Police fired tear gas and clashes left protesters and riot officers injured as crowds tried to reach the state Chemical Group of Tunisia complex on Wednesday.
- More than 120 people have been hospitalised with breathing difficulties and other symptoms in recent days, including children, according to local officials.
- Saied has denounced the crisis as an "environmental assassination" and directed ministries to send teams for maintenance to stop leaks, alongside the new commission.
- Demonstrators demand permanent closure or relocation of polluting units, a stance backed by the Gabes local council and the Tunisian League of Human Rights.
- The company acknowledged major environmental non‑conformities in a July audit, industrial waste continues to be discharged into the Gulf of Gabes, a 2017 dismantling pledge remains unfulfilled, and the firm has not responded to media queries.