The migrants were from sub-Saharan countries attempting to reach the shores of Italy, according to local media. They did not specify whether the 14 migrants were travelling on the same boat or in separate groups.

Tunisia has become a main route for migrants who wish to make it to Europe, with UN figures showing at least 12,000 migrants who landed on Italy's shores this year had left from Tunisia.

That figure was just 1,300 in the same time period last year.