Tunisia council houses man who lived in a cave for 30 years

A 62-year-old Tunisian man who has been living in a cave on the outskirts of the town of Testour for 30 years will be housed by the local council.

Alberni Al-Abbasi crawls into his underground home each day where he has his utensils, some food and a worn blanket. He made a living selling herbs to passers by on the nearby roads.

The Mayor of Testour Mohamed El Hedi Zeiri, who published footage of the man’s home on his Facebook page, said Al-Abbasi’s situation was “shocking in every sense of the word”.

Al-Abbasi told El Hedi Zeiri:

I was beaten and I almost died. Here I live with reptiles in the cold. No one cares and no one offers help.

The mayor said the council had decided to provide Al-Abbasi accommodation to ensure he lives a decent life. He has temporarily been placed in a care home until a suitable property becomes available.

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