Tunisian coastguard officials intercept migrants at sea during their dangerous attempt to cross to Italy. Reuters
Tunisian coastguard officials intercept migrants at sea during their dangerous attempt to cross to Italy. Reuters
Tunisian coastguard officials intercept migrants at sea during their dangerous attempt to cross to Italy. Reuters
Tunisian coastguard officials intercept migrants at sea during their dangerous attempt to cross to Italy. Reuters

Tunisia intercepts more than 1,800 migrants aiming to sail to Europe


Ghaya Ben Mbarek
  • English
  • Arabic

Tunisia intercepted more than 1,800 migrants, thwarting 59 attempts to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe, on Saturday and Sunday.

There were 18 Tunisian citizens among those who tried to set out on the journey, the National Guard said on Monday.

Two bodies were recovered, while 24 smugglers, including organisers and mediators, were held.

Last week, authorities said security forces prevented more than 30,000 people from crossing to Europe through Tunisia's territorial waters in the first five months of 2024.

According to the Tunisian coastguard, 30,281 irregular migrants were intercepted at sea between January 1 and May 31, compared with 21,652 last year.

The coastguard also said it prevented the entry of 26,619 irregular through Tunisia's land borders in 2024, compared with 7,299 a year ago.

The North African country has signed agreements with the EU and countries such as Italy, which have agreed to help it strengthen Tunisia's capacity to curb the influx of migrants into Europe, in exchange for large sums of money, including much needed budget support packages.

Tunisian authorities have stepped efforts trying to control the large number of migrants moving through the country and attempting to reach Europe through its maritime borders.

  • A migrant woman learns how to sew at a centre run by the Organisation for the Support of Migrants in the southern Tunisian city of Medenine. It is a rare, locally driven opportunity for migrants to better themselves and integrate in a wider North Africa region that is often far from welcoming.
    A migrant woman learns how to sew at a centre run by the Organisation for the Support of Migrants in the southern Tunisian city of Medenine. It is a rare, locally driven opportunity for migrants to better themselves and integrate in a wider North Africa region that is often far from welcoming.
  • Women learn French at a centre run by the Organisation for the Support of Migrants, in the southern Tunisian city of Medenine.
    Women learn French at a centre run by the Organisation for the Support of Migrants, in the southern Tunisian city of Medenine.
  • Migrant women learn how to use a computer at a centre run by the Organisation for the Support of Migrants, in the southern Tunisian city of Medenine. It is a rare, locally driven opportunity for migrants to better themselves and integrate in a wider North Africa region that is often far from welcoming.
    Migrant women learn how to use a computer at a centre run by the Organisation for the Support of Migrants, in the southern Tunisian city of Medenine. It is a rare, locally driven opportunity for migrants to better themselves and integrate in a wider North Africa region that is often far from welcoming.
  • A migrant woman learns how to use a computer at a centre run by the Organisation for the Support of Migrants, in the southern Tunisian city of Medenine.
    A migrant woman learns how to use a computer at a centre run by the Organisation for the Support of Migrants, in the southern Tunisian city of Medenine.
  • Migrants attend a class at a centre run by the Organisation for the Support of Migrants, in the southern Tunisian city of Medenine.
    Migrants attend a class at a centre run by the Organisation for the Support of Migrants, in the southern Tunisian city of Medenine.
  • Sub-Saharan migrant children learn French at a centre run by the Organisation for the Support of Migrants in southern Tunisia.
    Sub-Saharan migrant children learn French at a centre run by the Organisation for the Support of Migrants in southern Tunisia.
  • A migrant learns French at a centre run by the Organisation for the Support of Migrants, in the southern Tunisian city of Medenine.
    A migrant learns French at a centre run by the Organisation for the Support of Migrants, in the southern Tunisian city of Medenine.
  • A woman learns sewing at a centre run by the Organisation for the Support of Migrants, in the southern Tunisian city of Medenine. The charity is a rare, locally driven opportunity for migrants to better themselves and integrate in a wider North Africa region that is often far from welcoming.
    A woman learns sewing at a centre run by the Organisation for the Support of Migrants, in the southern Tunisian city of Medenine. The charity is a rare, locally driven opportunity for migrants to better themselves and integrate in a wider North Africa region that is often far from welcoming.
  • Migrants gather at a centre run by the Organisation for the Support of Migrants in the southern Tunisian city of Medenine.
    Migrants gather at a centre run by the Organisation for the Support of Migrants in the southern Tunisian city of Medenine.

In recent years, Tunisia has become a major transit point for migrants – most of whom are from sub-Saharan African countries – trying to reach Europe for better economic opportunities through the dangerous Mediterranean route.

Thousands die each year attempting to make the journey with the help of human traffickers who provide unsafe, and often small, boats in exchange for ever increasing amounts of money.

The UN's migration agency has described the Mediterranean crossing as “the deadliest route for migrants on record” estimating that at least 3,129 people died or disappeared trying to cross to Europe through it last year alone.

This is the highest death toll recorded in the Mediterranean since 2017, International Organisation for Migration said.

%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS
%3Cp%3ECreator%3A%20Tima%20Shomali%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%C2%A0Tara%20Abboud%2C%C2%A0Kira%20Yaghnam%2C%20Tara%20Atalla%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO

Fixture: Ukraine v Portugal, Monday, 10.45pm (UAE)

TV: BeIN Sports

The%20Letter%20Writer
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Layla%20Kaylif%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eslam%20Al%20Kawarit%2C%20Rosy%20McEwen%2C%20Muhammad%20Amir%20Nawaz%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
The specs

Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm

Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh130,000

On sale: now

The%20Witcher%20-%20season%20three
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHenry%20Cavill%2C%20Freya%20Allan%2C%20Anya%20Chalotra%3Cstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
FIGHT%20CARD
%3Cp%3EAnthony%20Joshua%20v%20Otto%20Wallin%2C%2012%20rounds%2C%20heavyweight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDeontay%20Wilder%20v%20Joseph%20Parker%2C%2012%20rounds%2C%20heavyweight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDmitry%20Bivol%20v%20Lyndon%20Arthur%2C%2012%20rounds%2C%20light%20heavyweight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDaniel%20Dubois%20v%20Jarrell%20Miller%2C%2012%20rounds%2C%20heavyweight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EFilip%20Hrgovic%20v%20Mark%20de%20Mori%2C%2012%20rounds%2C%20heavyweight%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EArslanbek%20Makhmudov%20v%20Agit%20Kabayel%2C%2012%20rounds%2C%20heavyweight%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EFrank%20Sanchez%20v%20Junior%20Fa%2C%2012%20rounds%2C%20heavyweight%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EJai%20Opetaia%20v%20Ellis%20Zorro%2C%2012%20rounds%2C%20cruiserweight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
BRIEF SCORES

England 228-7, 50 overs
N Sciver 51; J Goswami 3-23

India 219, 48.4 overs
P Raut 86, H Kaur 51; A Shrubsole 6-46

England won by nine runs

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

McIlroy's recent struggles

Last six stroke-play events (First round score in brackets)

Arnold Palmer Invitational Tied for 4th (74)

The US Masters Tied for 7th (72)

The Players Championship Tied for 35th (73)

US Open Missed the cut (78)

Travellers Championship Tied for 17th (67)

Irish Open Missed the cut (72)

UAE v United States, T20 International Series

Both matches at ICC Academy, Dubai. Admission is free.

1st match: Friday, 2pm

2nd match: Saturday, 2pm

UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Amjad Gul, CP Rizwan, Mohammed Boota, Abdul Shakoor, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Amir Hayat

USA squad: Saurabh Netravalkar (captain), Jaskaran Malhotra, Elmore Hutchinson, Aaron Jones, Nosthush Kenjige, Ali Khan, Jannisar Khan, Xavier Marshall, Monank Patel, Timil Patel, Roy Silva, Jessy Singh, Steven Taylor, Hayden Walsh

Manchester United v Liverpool

Premier League, kick off 7.30pm (UAE)

The Brutalist

Director: Brady Corbet

Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn

Rating: 3.5/5

Notable Yas events in 2017/18

October 13-14 KartZone (complimentary trials)

December 14-16 The Gulf 12 Hours Endurance race

March 5 Yas Marina Circuit Karting Enduro event

March 8-9 UAE Rotax Max Challenge

THE%20SPECS
%3Cp%3EEngine%3A%204.4-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20653hp%20at%205%2C400rpm%0D%3Cbr%3ETorque%3A%20800Nm%20at%201%2C600-5%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3ETransmission%3A%208-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E0-100kph%20in%204.3sec%0D%3Cbr%3ETop%20speed%20250kph%0D%3Cbr%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20NA%0D%3Cbr%3EOn%20sale%3A%20Q2%202023%0D%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh750%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The bio

Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.

Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.

Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.

Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.

Updated: June 18, 2024, 11:22 AM