Tunisia thwarts 3 attempts to cross into Europe, arrests 239 migrants

For years, North African countries as Tunisia have witnessed attempts by migrants to reach Europe

By Yamna Salmi

TUNIS, Tunisia (AA) – Tunisia said it had foiled three irregular immigration attempts to cross the Mediterranean into Europe.

In a statement, National Guard spokesman Hosam Eddin Al-Jababli said 239 irregular migrants were arrested Saturday overnight while trying to illegally cross into Europe by sea in the eastern towns of Mahdia, Nabeul and the southern city of Sfax.

He added that the migrants were from Tunisia and a number of African countries.

The spokesman specified that another 16 Tunisians were arrested while planning to sail surreptitiously towards Italy.

For years, North African countries 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. While some of the migrants manage to reach their destination, others often die during the journey.

According to Tunisian authorities, over 20,000 irregular migrants had been arrested in 2021.

*Ikram Imane Kouachi contributed to this report.

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