TUNIS, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia's maritime guards have rescued 633 undocumented immigrants from sinking boats after they foiled 14 illegal immigration attempts off its southeastern coast, the Tunisian National Guard announced in a statement late Friday night.
The maritime guards intercepted boats involved in illegal immigration attempts to cross the Mediterranean to Italy on Friday, rescuing 633 immigrants from sub-Saharan African countries off the coast of Sfax province, according to the statement.
The maritime guard units also retrieved two bodies of illegal immigrants.
"Two steel boats were seized, and 77 wanted persons were arrested," added the statement.
Located in the central Mediterranean, Tunisia is one of the main points of access to Europe used by undocumented immigrants.
Despite the stringent measures implemented by Tunisian authorities, the number of undocumented immigrants attempting to reach Italy from the Tunisian coast continues to rise. ■
