Amid an escalating economic crisis in Tunisia, a well-known Tunisian rapper has illicitly migrated to Italy.
Junior Hassen, whose YouTube music videos have accumulated nearly 15 million views, undertook the perilous journey across the Mediterranean to Sicily just last week.
According to reports from news outlet Mosaique FM, the rapper successfully reached Palermo, a city in southern Italy, after embarking on the journey with a group of fellow migrants from his hometown, Sousse.
Social media platforms have been circulating footage purporting to show Hassen, known by his real name Hassen Sassi, making the sea crossing with other Tunisian migrants on a small boat. However, the authenticity of the footage has not been independently confirmed.
The severe economic crisis in Tunisia has driven numerous individuals to take drastic steps in pursuit of improved prospects overseas. Earlier this year, a Tunisian football club suspended its operations due to 32 of its players migrating to Europe.
Tunisia has now become a primary departure point for African migrants attempting to traverse the Mediterranean en route to Europe.
An increasing number of Tunisians are also opting for treacherous sea journeys, contributing to the world’s deadliest migration route.