Popular Tunisian rapper Junior Hassen 'reaches Italy on migrant boat'

A popular Tunisian rapper has arrived in Italy after making the perilous journey on a small boat for migrants.

Junior Hassen, an artist with close to 15 million views on YouTube, arrived in Sicily along with other migrants from his hometown of Sousse, Mosaique FM reported.

Footage posted to social media purportedly shows Hassen, whose real name is Hassen Sassi, making the journey across the Mediterranean Sea with other Tunisians.

The New Arab was unable to verify the authenticity of the videos.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Junior Hassen (@hassensassii)

Reports of the rapper leaving his country come amid a sustained economic crisis in Tunisia, where rising poverty levels and unemployment are pushing citizens to take desperate measures.

Opponents of Tunisian President Kais Saied, who has seized almost all power in the country since leading a coup in 2021, face arrest and jail time.

In April, a Tunisian football club was forced to suspend its activities after 32 of its players illegally emigrated to Europe.

Earlier this month, at least two Tunisians including a baby died when their boat sank soon after leaving the country's shores.

More than 22,000 people have died trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea for Europe since 2014, according to the International Organisation for Migration.