125 irregular migrants rescued off Tunisia's coast

By Mehmet Akif Turan

TUNIS, Tunisia (AA) – Tunisian authorities rescued a total of 125 irregular migrants off the coast of Tunisia, according to the country’s interior Ministry.

Houssam Eddine al-Jabali, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry, said in a statement on Sunday that six different operations were conducted by security forces against illegal immigration attempts.

A total of 125 irregular migrants, including 13 Tunisians and 112 African nationals were rescued, he added.

Almost on daily basis, the Tunisian authorities stop illegal migration attempts and arrest hundreds of irregular migrants.

For years, Maghreb countries such as Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Mauritania and Morocco have witnessed attempts by migrants from mainly sub-Saharan Africa to reach Europe in hope of a better life. While some of the migrants manage to reach their destination, others often die during the process.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar