487 illegal immigrants rescued

The Tunisian maritime guard rescued 487 illegal immigrants off the southeastern province of Sfax, the country's defence ministry said in a statement.

"These illegal immigrants could have lost their lives when their boat sailing toward the Italian coast capsized off the island of Kerkennah in Sfax," said the ministry statement on Friday.

The rescued people are of different nationalities, mainly Egyptians, Bangladeshis, Syrians and Moroccans, Xinhua news agency reported.

Thousands of illegal immigrants attempt to cross the Mediterranean every year, and Tunisia is one of the main points of access to Europe through irregular channels. (IANS)

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