Nine men with alleged links to terrorism were caught in Tunisia before they embarked on a boat towards Europe, Italian media report.

Earlier this year Interpol had indicated that terrorists could be planning to cross over from Europe from North Africa via migrant boats that leave from Tunisia and Libya. Monday’s captures seem to confirm this theory, Italian media say.

The nine were part of a group of 15 who were planning to embark on a dinghy to cross over towards Italy, with the possibility that they could have also ended up in Malta.

On Monday, the AFM rescued 114 migrants who were on a dinghy which was taking in water and brought them to Malta.

The nine caught in Tunisia on Monday are aged between 21 and 39 and are being held in custody.

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