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Interceptions of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea have increased in 2021. In the first half of the year, over 31.5 thousand people were intercepted by North African authorities while trying to reach Europe by sea. North African authorities include the Libyan and Algerian Coast Guards as well as the Tunisian National Guard. The number rose significantly in recent years. By comparison, around 18 thousand migrants were intercepted by these authorities in the first half of 2019. In general, a substantial increase in the number of attempted crossings of the Mediterranean Sea was observed in 2021.