TUNIS, Jan 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Tunisian National Guard reported at least 40 illegal migrants were missing after their boat sank off the southeastern coast of the country.
According to the above force, these migrants left the Sfax coast on the night of Jan 10 with the intention of crossing the Mediterranean to reach Italy. The force noted that some families of the above migrants had reported to local authorities about losing contact with them, but did not give details about the shipwreck.
The search for missing migrants is still underway.
Tunisia, located in the central Mediterranean, is one of the main departure points for illegal migrants heading to Europe. Despite the strict measures taken by the country’s authorities, illegal migration from the Tunisian coast is still increasing.
According to statistics from the Tunisian National Guard, in the first 11 months of 2023, the number of illegal migrants intercepted by the country’s authorities has reached 69,963 people, more than double the same period in 2022. , of which 77.5% are foreigners, mainly from the southern Sahara region of Africa, the rest are Tunisians.
In another related development, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that in 2023, more than 2,270 people died while trying to cross the central Mediterranean region, an increase of 60% compared to the previous year. — NNN-AGENCIES
