Forty Tunisian migrants missing after setting off in boat

Tunis: About 40 Tunisian migrants were missing after setting off in a boat toward the Italy coast last week, the national guard said on Tuesday.

Tunisia is facing a migration crisis and has replaced Libya as a main departure point for people fleeing poverty and conflict in Africa and the Middle East in the hope of a better life in Europe.

National Guard video footage showed coast guard ships supported by aircraft searching for the missing people.

The Tunisian National Guard said in its statement that more information is being gathered about the people on board the boat, all of whom were trying to get to Italy illegally.

It is pertinent to note that despite the strict measures taken by the government, illegal immigration from the coast of Tunisia is increasing.

SOURCE: REUTERS