A popular Tunisian rapper has fled the North African country amid a deepening economic crisis and illegally emigrated to Italy.
Junior Hassen traveled to Sicily last week on a boat trip that could have been fatal. His songs have nearly 15 million YouTube views.
According to the a news source, the rapper traveled with a group of refugees from his hometown of Sousse, reaching the southern Italian city of Palermo.
Social media users have circulated video they claim depicts Hassen, whose real name is Hassen Sassi, allegedly traveling across the Mediterranean in a small boat with other migrants from Tunisia. But no outside source has independently confirmed the footage.
Many people have taken desperate measures in hopes of better lives abroad due to Tunisia’s dire economic crisis. a Tunisian football club suspended its activities after 32 of its players emigrated to Europe, earlier this year.
Tunisia has become the main departure point for African migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe. Tunisians in growing numbers have also opted for sea journeys on the world’s deadliest migration route.
Source-BBC
