France to reduce visas for Maghreb countries in migration spat
Paris has accused former colonies of not doing enough to allow illegal immigrants to return. Algeria has summoned the French ambassador in response to the decision.
Tunisia
EU: Failure to return migrants encourages irregular migration, watchdog
The EU effort to return unsuccessful asylum seekers is failing, the EU policy and financial watchdog has warned. Half a million people are ordered to leave the EU each year, but less than a fifth are actually sent home.
Italy: Migrant vaccinations begin on Lampedusa
Italy has begun vaccinating all migrants landing on the island of Lampedusa, where dozens of Tunisians and other migrants have been arriving daily. Visiting US diplomats praised the coordination and the management of the site.
Italian coast guard rescues 125 people stranded on uninhabited island
The Italian coast guard rescued 125 people from the rocky shore of a tiny uninhabited island on Thursday. Rescue workers said the migrants were in a 'state of shock'.
'My own wife left without any warning': clandestine departures from Tunisia
Illicit crossings between the Tunisian port of Zarzis and the Italian coast have increased sharply in 2021. Chamseddine Marzoug, an activist who has been involved for years with migrants' rights, faced an unprecedented situation. His own wife, accompanied by two of his grandchildren, decided to cross the sea to Europe -- without telling him.
Mediterranean: Migrant arrivals in Italy continue to soar
The number of migrants arriving in Italy from Tunisia and Liby has doubled in the first eight months of this year compared to last year. In August alone, more than 10,000 people arrived. Over the last few days, dozens of people were rescued from overcrowded boats in the Mediterranean.
Six migrants found dead in Tunisian desert
Two women and four children were found dead in the Tunisian desert, confirmed an official on Thursday. It is presumed they "died of thirst."
To get to Europe, Tunisian migrants turn to 'self-smuggling'
Instead of paying human traffickers, increasing numbers of Tunisians are buying their own boats and organizing do-it-yourself ocean journeys to Europe. It appears to be a growing trend.
Migrants on Ocean Viking say they had been beaten
Survivors rescued by the NGO ship SOS Mediterranee say that they had been subjected to violence during their journey towards Europe.They say that had spent three days at sea prior to the rescue and had run out of water and fuel shortly after the journey began.
Italy renews appeals to introduce EU redistribution mechanism
Italy has called for the introduction of a redistribution mechanism of migrants among EU member states once more. For weeks, hundreds of migrants have been arriving in the country daily.
More than 800 migrants rescued at sea
The two NGO rescue vessels "Ocean Viking" and "Sea-Watch 3" now carry a total of more than 800 people on board, all of whom were rescued in the Mediterranean Sea over the weekend.
Tunisian President claims youth get cash incentives to leave country
Following a week of political upheaval, Tunisia's president made allegations saying that agents opposed to democracy were paying youth in the country to embark on dangerous migrations. He did not, however, specify who he meant to address with that comment.