TUNIS — Tunisia rescued Thursday
166 migrants stranded at sea for
nearly a week, recovering the bodies of 16 others who died attempting the
dangerous Mediterranean crossing to Europe, security officials said.
اضافة اعلان
The migrants, who included 65 Moroccans, 62 Bangladeshis and 15 Egyptians,
and who were aged between 15 and 48, set off from Libyan coast overnight Friday
to Saturday, Tunisian defense ministry spokesman Mohamed Zekri said.
Their boat broke down off neighboring Tunisia near the southern port Zarzis.
National Guard spokesman Houcem Eddine Jebabli confirmed 16 of the group had
died on board, and said investigations were underway to determine the cause of
death.
The route between Libya and Europe is considered the most dangerous one
across the Mediterranean.
Over 890 people are known to have died attempting to cross the Mediterranean
so far this year, a rise of 130 percent on the same period of last year, the
International Organization for Migration said last week.
Since the start of summer, the number of crossings has increased as migrants
take advantage of the good weather and calmer seas.
Despite being plunged into chaos after the fall of Moamer Kadhafi's regime
in 2011, Libya has become a favored springboard for migrants seeking what they
believe will be a better life in Europe.
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