TUNIS, Tunisia

Six migrants drowned and 34 were rescued off the coast of Tunisia after their boat sank, media reports said Thursday. 

Search and rescue efforts began after a boat was reported to have sunk off the coast of Zarzis near the Libyan border, according to the official Tunisian news agency, citing a statement from a Defense Ministry spokesman.

The ministry said rescue efforts were carried out by naval forces and the irregular migrants were African nationals.

Tunisian authorities almost daily stop attempts at illegal migration and arrest hundreds of irregular migrants.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

For years, Maghreb countries such as Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Mauritania and Morocco have witnessed attempts by migrants, mainly from sub-Saharan Africa, to reach Europe, hoping for a better life.

While some migrants manage to reach their destinations, others often die during the journey.  

*Writing by Seda Sevencan