Court Finds No Established Harm in the Suspension of the Gabès Chemical Group’s Industrial Activities

Date: Thursday, 26 February 2026

The court concluded that there is no proven damage in the case concerning the suspension of industrial activities of the Groupe Chimique de Gabès.

Civil‑society activist Firas Ennasfi described the ruling on Express FM as a “fatal blow” to the hopes of the region’s inhabitants to live in a healthy environment.

“The verdict is in stark contradiction with the evidence presented in the file,” Ennasfi said on air.

Key Points Raised by Ennasfi

• The summary‑procedure (référé) was based on:

  • Testimonies from victims,
  • Official reports, and
  • Data supplied by the Chemical Group itself, which, according to Ennasfi, acknowledged serious environmental and health breaches.

• Consequences attributed to the industrial complex:

  • Destruction of the Gulf of Gabès,
  • Near‑total degradation of the maritime oasis,
  • Thousands of recorded cases of cancer, respiratory diseases, and osteoporosis.

• Documented cases of asphyxiation: dozens of incidents captured in photos and videos since September–October 2025.

A Feeling of Injustice Among 400,000 Residents

Ennasfi emphasized that the demands of Gabès’ citizens have always centered on a fundamental right—the right to live in a healthy environment—rather than on economic development or employment issues.

He warned that the judgment has planted deep disillusionment and marginalisation among more than 400,000 people in the region.

“Urgent action is needed to restore the right of Gabès’ inhabitants to life and a healthy environment,” he urged, describing the situation as an environmental catastrophe that has persisted for over half a century.

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