A unit of the Tunisian navy on Monday rescued 50 illegal migrants of different African nationalities, including four Tunisians, a statement issued by the ministry of Defence in Tunis said.
Among the rescued migrants were 11 women and a baby-boy, the source said, adding that the operation was carried out by the Tunisian navy in coordination with the Malta and Roma rescue centres.
The migrants were arrested on board a fortune boat in north-east coasts of Mahdi.
They said they left the seaside of Sidi Mansour, near Mahdia on 6-7 January night aiming to get illegally to the European coasts.
The group was handed over to units of the National Guard at the fishing port of Mahdia, added the statement. (NAN)