A spokesman for the Tunisian National Guard announced yesterday the rescue of more than 70 migrants off the coast of Tunisia, who sailed from Libya to Italy, without mentioning the victims.
Seventy-seven migrants were rescued on Monday evening in Tunisian waters off the island of Qirqneh, east of the western city of Zuwara, while their boat was in danger of drowning when water entered, according to Husam al-Din al-Jabbabli.
He told AFP that 37 Bengalians, eight Moroccans, eight Egyptians, seven Algerians, four Sudanese, two Chadians and one Tunisian were rescued. He pointed out that everyone is safe.
In recent weeks, dozens of migrants have been rescued off the coast of Tunisia and were trying to reach Italy from western Libya, with several drowning incidents recorded.
Last week, 16 bodies were found off the shores of southern Tunisia, with more than 80 passengers on board.
Boat accidents, which carry migrants off the coast of Libya, are frequent, especially in the summer.
• Last week, 16 bodies were found off the shores of southern Tunisia, after their boat sank with more than 80 passengers aboard.