14 lifeless, 54 rescued off Tunisia’s east coast in migrant boat sinking

54 individuals had been rescued when on Tuesday, and Wednesday two boats sank off the coast of Tunisia. 14 died, authorities stated Thursday (Mar. 9).

The Nationwide Guard added that the migrants had been from sub-Saharan Africa with out disclosing their nationalities.

Individuals fleeing battle or poverty take boats from Tunisian shores towards Europe, although the central Mediterranean is essentially the most harmful migration route, in response to the Worldwide Group for Migration.

“When sub-Saharans got here to Tunisia, it was due to the financial and social state of affairs they had been struggling of their nation, lawyer Hamida Chaieb explains. “Their important goal is to cross to Europe. Like our (Tunisian) youth who dream of a greater life,” the Tunisian League for Human Rights member provides.

“Scale back irregular immigration”

Tunisian authorities have stepped up arrests of Africans with out residency papers in current weeks after President linked migrants to crimes. The feedback fanned a surge in assaults focusing on Black Africans.

“They (the authorities) do not need to allow us to go. If it is like that, (let) us return to Italy. We now have neither our fathers nor our moms, if that is the way in which it’s allow us to return (to Italy),” an Ivorian migrant says.

In Brussels, EU House Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson expressed concern on Thursday concerning the president’s statements, saying they’re “very worrying,” however underlined Tunisia’s position in serving to stop migrants reaching Europe.

“Tunisia is a core nation for cooperation in terms of stopping smuggling but in addition in terms of readmission of Tunisian residents that come right here and will not be eligible for worldwide safety,” she instructed reporters.

Tunisians had been among the many prime three nationalities — together with Egyptians and Bangladeshis — to succeed in Europe final yr after crossing from the North African coast.

Last January, Italy’s top diplomat reiterated to his Tunisian counterpart Roma’s objective “to reduce irregular immigration”.