Summary:

On Wednesday 28 May 2025, a fire broke out in the refrigeration unit at the Tunisian Indian Fertilizer Company (TIFERT) in Skhira, Sfax. 

The fire started at 9:44 am and was contained at 11:00 am after the mobilization of civil protection units from several neighboring regions including Mahres, Bir Ali Ben Khalifa, and Gabes.  

The Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy, Fatma Thabet Chiboub, visited the site in person where she praised the efforts of the technical teams of the TIFERT and the civil protection units in containing the fire before it could spread to other areas.   

Other fires broke out previously in rural areas, including at a wheat farm in Grombalia and the Oasis of Ras El-Ain in Nafta. Others were in urban areas, such as the fire that ravaged a public transport bus in Charguia near the Tunis Carthage Airport.   

Meanwhile, the Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries, Ezzeddine Ben Cheikh, announced the establishment of seasonal fire response centers in the areas most vulnerable to fires and an operational intervention plan to strengthen the protection of forests and agricultural crops from fires.

Outlook: 

As the dry summer season approaches, fires are increasingly likely due to rising temperatures and limited rain. Rural and urban areas are both vulnerable to fires, making it necessary to take preventive measures and develop response plans in case of fire. 

Industrial zones often house high-risk facilities that could sustain significant damage in the event of a fire.  Various products or facilities at industrial sites can cause significant additional damage from explosions or exposure to dangerous materials. 

Fires in production units also risk impacting employees, with the potential for unemployment in local communities as facilities are repaired. 

While the government has made efforts to preemptively address some of the risks from fires in both forests and agricultural lands, this issue has proven damaging in recent years, impacting local communities and their economies across Tunisia. 

Explore our services or speak with our team of North Africa-based risk experts.