The Tunisian prime minister has declared that the refugee and migrant issue is not for Tunisia to bear alone. He added that all relevant countries must also shoulder the responsibility. Tunisia has adopted a new strategy to counter the flow of migrants. An average of 50 undocumented African migrants are saved everyday by Tunisian coast guards while others drown at sea. CGTN's Adnen Chaouachi has the report.

Interior Minister Hichem Fourati announced the setting up of a new security plan to counter irregular migration, following the dramatic shipwreck of a boat boarding undocumented migrants off Sfax and Zarziss.

NIZAR BARKOUTI DIRECTOR GENERAL OF HUMAN RIGHTS, TUNISIAN GOVERNMENT "The situation is alarming. It requires a reaction from the state as the number of illegal crossing attempts and undocumented migrants increase. Everyday, irregular migration is causing human tragedies."

At least 150 undocumented migrants have recently drowned in several incidents in the Mediterranean while crossing from Libya to Italy heading to Italy's Lampedusa.

NIZAR BARKOUTI DIRECTOR GENERAL OF HUMAN RIGHTS, TUNISIAN GOVERNMENT "It is unfortunate to see the increasing number of victims. We'll provide all legal and logistical means to reduce the phenomenon but Tunisia cannot do it without assistance from its partners in the Mediterranean basin."

Authorities say that over 2,730 irregular migration attempts had been thwarted recently and the smugglers involved in the organisation of the some death crossings were identified and arrested.

HALIMA AISSA HEAD, ASSOCIATION FOR THE SEARCH OF MISSING PERSONS "Irregular migration is a shared responsibility. Arresting some smugglers will not stop the wave of migrants. Hundreds of African migrants drown at large. Over 1500 went missing this summer."

According to the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, 4,128 persons had been arrested for having tried to illegally cross to Italy in 2019.

ADNEN CHAOUACHI TUNIS, TUNISIA "According to the Interior Ministry, several attempts at illegal crossing of maritime borders were foiled this week by the coastguards of the governorates of Sfax, Medenine, Mahdia and Bizerte. Over ninety individuals of different African nationalities were arrested aboard a boat. 20 women and 2 children were transferred to the red crescent centers. AC, CGTN."