Sharp increase seen in illegal crossings from Tunisia

TUNIS－This year saw a sharp increase in the number of illegal immigrants from Tunisia trying the dangerous sea passage to Europe, reaching a level not seen since the so-called "Arab Spring" in 2011, the latest data showed.

More Tunisians are taking the risk of traveling across the Mediterranean, one of the world's most dangerous routes for immigrants, as a result of a confluence of economic and social reasons, including high unemployment, financial difficulties and success tales of migrants.

At a parking lot near the port of La Goulette in northern Tunisia, 21-year-old Tunisian Anis is washing cars to save money for a seat on the boat across the Mediterranean.

"Three months ago, I arrived here from Kairouan Province to prepare for the sea crossing," said Anis, adding that La Goulette is among the "most popular departure locations in Tunisia" for would-be immigrants.

Irregular immigration to Europe from or through Tunisia is not a new phenomenon. Since the 1990s, the North African country has emerged as a key transit hub for immigrants from Africa and the Middle East due to its long coastline and proximity to Europe.

At least 33,761 immigrants have reportedly died or gone missing between 2000 and 2017 while seeking to cross the Mediterranean, making the Mediterranean route one of the deadliest journeys for immigrants, according to a United Nations report.

'For a better life'

Despite the risk, Anis said a growing number of Tunisians choose to leave the country "for a better life" by making the sea passage.

Tunisia has been mired in a prolonged economic crisis. Inflation rose for 11 consecutive months to 8.6 percent in August, the highest record since September 1991.

The growth in the number of illegal immigrants gained pace this year after the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated a trend that existed before its outbreak in the country in early 2020.

The number of immigrants intercepted in the first half of this year is "well above the levels recorded during the same period in 2021", read a report published by the Geneva-based Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime.

On Sept 13, the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, or FTDES, reported that more than 13,000 illegal Tunisian immigrants have landed in Italy since January.

Xinhua