Libyan authorities deported on Monday 24 Tunisian nationals after being arrested while trying to sail to Italy from the country’s western shores.

The Tunisian Embassy in Tripoli said its 24 nationals had entered Libya from Ras Ajdir border crossing in a legal way, but they were arrested on May 10 before making their illegal journey to Italy.

The illegal Tunisian immigrants were flown back to their country through Tripoli-based Mitiga Airport.

The Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights said in a recent report that 820 Tunisians had reached the Italian soil in illegal journeys in 2016.

Human smuggling has become a flourishing business in Libya due to the ongoing political and security chaos.