Heartbreaking shipwrecks of migrant-filled boats departing from the Tunisian coast for Europe have surged in recent months. “This [data] indicates that Tunisia has become the main departure point for Europe, surpassing Libya,” he said. The most common migrant nationalities declared to Italian authorities this year are Guinea (12%), Ivory Coast (11%), Egypt (8%) and Tunisia (7%). The report indicates that Tunisian fishing boats frequently approach migrant boats stranded at sea and offer to tow them close to Lampedusa for money. As part of the agreement, Saied has proposed increased collaboration with the EU to expedite the repatriation process of irregular Tunisian migrants in Europe.

Source: The North Africa Journal August 11, 2023 14:34 UTC