Tunisia’s rescue operations save 612 migrants, 18 bodies found

Tunisia’s National Guard announced on March 17th that its forces rescued 612 migrants and recovered the bodies of 18 others in multiple rescue operations overnight off the country’s Mediterranean coast.

According to The New Arab, the migrants, including women and children, were from sub-Saharan African countries attempting to cross the sea to Europe.

The rescue operations took place in the Sfax region, according to the National Guard.

The national guard confirmed maritime guard members “succeeded in thwarting several separate attempts to reach Europe clandestinely.”

These operations, which have witnessed Tunisia’s forces rescue 612 migrants, highlight the continued dangers faced by migrants attempting the perilous Mediterranean crossing in search of a better life.

Tunisia, along with Libya, has become a key departure point for migrants from North Africa, with many risking the journey across the Mediterranean.

The country’s coastline lies fewer than 150 kilometres from the Italian island of Lampedusa, often their first stop on the way to Europe.

Each year, tens of thousands of migrants attempt this dangerous journey, with many losing their lives in the process.

The ongoing crisis continues to draw attention to the risks associated with migration in the Mediterranean region

The New Arab.