Turkish ship rescues 139 migrants off Tunisia

A Turkish tanker owned by a private company has embarked on a humanitarian mission off Tunisia, rescuing 139 migrants on a sinking boat.
While en route to Malta, the crew of the Beks Bodrum/Valut tanker received an emergency call for help and quickly changed course to help the refugee boat, Hurriyet newspaper reported.
Upon reaching the scene, the crew began a rescue operation, successfully evacuating the 139 migrants on board their vessel and providing them with basic food aid.
Video recorded by a crew member captured the migrants battling the waves before boarding the ship.
Earlier this month, the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) said at least 8,565 people died along migration routes worldwide in 2023, making it the deadliest year since records began a decade ago to register regularly.
In 2024, 512 deaths have already been recorded as of March 6.
The Mediterranean Sea, where many migrants try to reach southern Europe from North Africa, remains the deadliest route, with at least 3,129 deaths and disappearances recorded last year. /BGNES