185 sub-Saharan African migrants off northern Morocco
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Read < 1minuteWould-be immigrants stand on a coastguard vessel as they arrive at Tarifa’s harbour on August 11, 2014, after being rescued off the Spanish Coast. Spain’s coastguard today rescued more than 260 sub-Saharan African migrants crossing the Strait of Gibraltar on small boats. Many migrants from sub-Saharan Africa attempt to cross into Spain from Morocco, either by sea through the Strait of Gibraltar or overland, via the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla in the extreme north of Morocco. AFP PHOTO / MARCOS MORENO
Morocco’s coastguards have rescued 185 sub-Saharan illegal immigrants in the Mediterranean, the Moroccan army said on Friday.
The guards on patrol in the Mediterranean assisted on late Thursday and early Friday the boats carrying the immigrants, the army pointed out.
The rescued, among them 23 women, were brought safely to ports of Nador and Tamgier, the same source noted.
Morocco has witnessed a significant hike in illegal immigration attempts in 2018.
According to the Moroccan Interior Ministry, the authorities have foiled over 76,000 illegal immigration attempts since the beginning of this year.
