TUNIS, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- A total of 97 undocumented immigrants were rescued off the Tunisian coast while attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Italy, said the Tunisian National Guard on Monday.

"Tunisia's maritime guard thwarted an illegal immigration attempt off the country's central coast late Sunday night," the Tunisian National Guard said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.

"During the operation, a total of 97 people of different African nationalities were rescued from a sinking boat," it added.

Located in the central Mediterranean, Tunisia has been one of the most popular transit points for illegal immigration to Europe.

Although Tunisian authorities have adopted rigorous measures to tackle the problem, the number of illegal immigrants heading to Europe through Italy's Lampedusa island has been on the rise. Enditem

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