The bodies of two illegal migrants whose boat capsized last Thursday were recovered off the coast of Morocco’s Sidi Rahal commune, 35 km south of Casablanca, on Monday, according to local media reports.
The relevant authorities from the Civil Protection services transferred the bodies to the mortuary for an autopsy. The gender and nationality of the deceased were not disclosed.
A boat carrying migrants from Casablanca sank on Thursday off the Moroccan coast of Sidi Rahal. The incident resulted in three deaths, including two women and one man. The death toll has since increased to five with the discovery of the two bodies, and at least 18 others are still missing.
Rescue teams from Morocco’s Royal Gendarmerie commands in Berrechid and Bir Jdid saved 22 migrants, using air rescue resources for the search.
A group of 40 people, including five women, set off on a makeshift boat bound for Spain. The boat overturned in the Atlantic Ocean near Douar El Houaoura, close to the commune of Sidi Rahal in Settat province.
The migrants, originating from cities such as Mohammedia, Sidi Slimane, Kenitra, Casablanca, Laarache, and various sub-Saharan African countries, reportedly each paid the smugglers between 30,000 and 50,000 MAD for the journey to Spain.
Investigators are working to identify those involved in the illegal migration operation.