TUNIS, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian authorities foiled the attempts of more than 21,500 undocumented immigrants to reach Italy via the Mediterranean in the first four months of 2024, the Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP) reported on Thursday.
"During the same period, Tunisian Maritime Guard units foiled 751 illegal immigration attempts towards the Italian coast," TAP quoted Houcemeddine Jbabli, spokesman for the Tunisian National Guard, as saying.
There has been a notable increase in the influx of sub-Saharan immigrants into Tunisia, particularly after Tunisia abolished visas for citizens of many African countries in 2014.
Jbabli added that many Africans come to Tunisia without identity documents, despite Tunisian laws enforcing strict controls related to residency and passports.
Located in the central Mediterranean, Tunisia is one of the most popular transit points for illegal immigration to Europe. Although Tunisian authorities have adopted rigorous measures to tackle the problem, the number of illegal immigrants heading to Italy has been on the rise. ■
