Tunisian authorities announce thwarting 28 illegal immigration operations, rescuing 1,178 immigrants

The Tunisian authorities announced that they had thwarted 28 illegal immigration operations and rescued 1,178 undocumented immigrants from drowning in its territorial waters in the Mediterranean Sea.
The maritime guards were able to intercept 28 illegal sea crossings and rescue 1,178 migrants, saving 1,160 immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa and 18 Tunisians. Additionally, two bodies were recovered during the operations, the Tunisian National Guard said in a statement.
On Friday, the Tunisian authorities announced the thwarting of 14 illegal immigration operations and the rescue of 633 immigrants.
For years, the Tunisian coast has witnessed a large influx of illegal immigrants wishing to reach the southern coasts of EU countries, where these operations have resulted in thousands drowning, according to statistics from the International Organization for Migration.