A Moroccan naval unit intercepted a group of 58 would-be migrants on Tuesday, including 12 women and two minors in dire need of assistance. According to military sources, the patrol responded quickly to a call originating from a makeshift boat, 50 km off coastal Sahara, near Akhfennir, Tarfaya in the Laayoune region.
As part of a maritime search and rescue mission, the patrol provided crucial aid to the distressed vessel, ensuring the safety and well-being of those on board.
In the same light, another unit of coast guards provided assistance to 46 illegal migrants on Monday in waters 215 kilometers southwest of Dakhla.
The boat had embarked upon its journey from the Senegalese shores three days earlier in an attempt to reach the Canary Islands.
Upon the successful operations, each migrant rescued—all of whom incidentally originated from sub-Saharan countries–received immediate medical care. They were later handed over to the Royal Gendarmerie for routine procedures.
Morocco has become a major transit country for illegal migrants, notably those from Sub-Saharan Africa trying to reach Europe. Every week, coast guards and police units apprehend dozens of unauthorized migrants in the Kingdom’s coastal waters en route to European lands.