Tunisia rescues 487 migrants in crowded boat off its coast
The rescue operation was led by a Tunisian patrol boat and ships from the countrys navy and national guard near the island of Kerkennah, off the city of Sfax.Amid the migrants were 162 Egyptians, 104 Bangladeshis, 81 Syrians, 78 Moroccans and others from Pakistan, the Palestinian territories and several African sub-Saharan countries, the ministry statement said.
- Country:
- Tunisia
Tunisia's defense ministry said 487 migrants, including 93 children, were rescued Friday off the North African country's coast as they tried to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe in an overloaded boat.
The ministry said in a statement that the vessel had left from neighboring Libya carrying migrants from Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The rescue operation was led by a Tunisian patrol boat and ships from the country's navy and national guard near the island of Kerkennah, off the city of Sfax.
Amid the migrants were 162 Egyptians, 104 Bangladeshis, 81 Syrians, 78 Moroccans and others from Pakistan, the Palestinian territories and several African sub-Saharan countries, the ministry statement said. This year alone, United Nations officials estimate that 1,600 people have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean, the main gateway to Europe for migrants trying to enter the continent with the help of human smugglers.
The busiest and deadliest migrant route to Europe is the central Mediterranean, where people travel in crowded boats from Libya and Tunisia — and in some cases all the way from Turkey — toward Italy. About 60,000 people have arrived in Italy by sea this year, and some 1,200 have died or disappeared on the journey, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
ALSO READ
"Will be safe if constitution is safe" Congress's Imran Masood courts controversy ahead of Saharanpur poll
Rajput community in Muzaffarnagar, Kairana, Saharanpur to boycott BJP candidates
UN Libya envoy says tendered resignation to UN chief
UP CM Yogi holds roadshow for BJP candidate in Saharanpur
Saharanpur Lok Sabha constituency to witness triangular contest as BJP, BSP, SP-Congress alliance lock horns