57 irregular migrants intercepted off the coast of Morocco
It has been reported that 57 irregular migrants from Sub-Saharan African countries were intercepted off the coast of Morocco.
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In a written statement issued by the Moroccan Armed Forces, it was stated that Moroccan coast guard units intercepted a boat carrying irregular migrants off the coast of the city of Dakhla in the southwest of the country.
It was noted that 57 irregular migrants from Sub-Saharan African countries, who had set out to reach the Canary Islands, a Spanish territory, were intercepted on the boat. It was stated that the irregular migrants, who appeared to be extremely exhausted, were handed over to security forces on the Dakhla coast after receiving first aid.
Every year, thousands of irregular migrants set sail from Africa across the Mediterranean in hopes of reaching Europe for a better life. While some migrants succeed in reaching Europe, others lose their lives at sea.
Due to its geographical proximity to the European coast, Morocco is among the regions frequently used as a transit point by irregular migrants.