The bodies of at least 901 drowned refugees and migrants have been found off the coast of Tunisia between January 1 and July 20 of this year, according to the country’s Interior Minister Kamel Feki.
The numbers, revealed by Feki on Wednesday, mark an unprecedented number of victims off the country’s coasts.
Feki told parliament that among the bodies found were 36 Tunisians and 267 foreigners, while the identities of the rest were unknown.
The North African country is facing a record wave of migration this year and frequent catastrophes as boats filled with refugees and migrants sink as they attempt to get to the Italian coastline.
Tunisia has replaced Libya as the region’s main departure point for people fleeing poverty and conflict in the hope of a better life in Europe.
Source: Al jazeera
