Tunisian National Guard (TNG) continues its crackdown on irregular migration, foiling 30 attempted sea border crossings and rescuing 614 migrants.
The TNG reported that the rescued migrants included Tunisians and individuals from various African nationalities. Two bodies were also recovered during the operations.
In a separate operation in Sfax, TNG units apprehended 22 individuals involved in organizing irregular migration. Additionally, 437 makeshift shelters used by African migrants were dismantled, and legal procedures were initiated against the perpetrators.
This comes on the heels of a previous announcement by the TNG on Saturday, where 28 sea border crossings were thwarted and 1178 irregular migrants were rescued in the Sfax region. In recent months, Tunisian security has intensified efforts to combat illegal immigration heading towards the Italian island of Lampedusa, expanding operations from the southeastern province of Sfax to other provinces.
Situated about 130 km from the Tunisian coastline, the island of Lampedusa is often chosen as the first stop for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa to make illegal sea voyages to Italy.