Tunisia foils 8 attempts to cross into Europe, arrests 139 migrants

By Adel Elthabti

TUNIS, Tunisia (AA) – Tunisia said Monday that it had thwarted eight irregular migration attempts and arrested 139 migrants.

In a statement, National Guard spokesman Hosam Eddin Al-Jababli said the detainees included 112 Tunisians, 26 migrants from sub-Sahara African countries and an Arab national.

He said the illegal migration attempts were thwarted in the coastal cities of Nabeul and Monastir on June 17-18.

Three boats equipped with four marine engines were also seized.

The spokesman said legal measures were taken against the migrants, without providing any further details.

For years, North African countries such as Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, and Morocco have witnessed attempts by migrants – mainly from sub-Saharan Africa – to reach Europe, hoping for a better life.

According to Tunisian authorities, over 37,000 irregular migrants had been arrested in 2022.

*Writing Ikram Kouachi