From Sunday to yesterday alone, Tunisian forces arrested more than 1,800 refugees who wanted to make their way to Italy by boat, the coast guard said. Photos showed small, crowded boats. After several boat accidents, dozens of bodies had recently been recovered off the coast.
Tunisia is now considered the most important transit country for refugees from Africa on their way to Italy. Yesterday alone, more than 500 people were arrested trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea, according to the Tunisian National Guard. The refugees are then usually taken to completely overcrowded refugee camps.
Since Tunisia’s President Kais Saied announced tougher action against those seeking protection in February, more and more people have been trying to leave the country. Due to a worsening economic crisis, more and more Tunisians are trying to migrate from the North African country to Europe.
