136 illegal immigrants arrested off Tunisia's east coast

The Tunisian coast guards have arrested 136 illegal immigrants off the country's east coast, an official statement said Friday.

A total of 136 immigrants, including 123 sub-Saharans and 13 Tunisian nationals, were arrested in the provinces of Nabeul and Sfax on Thursday night, said a statement released by the Tunisian Ministry of the Interior.

"These immigrants were preparing to cross the Mediterranean clandestinely toward the Italian coast," the statement added.

Thousands of illegal immigrants attempt to cross the Mediterranean every year from Tunisia which is one of the main points of access to Europe through irregular channels.