368 irregular migrants rescued off Morocco coast

A military source announced on Friday that the Moroccan Coast Guard units had rescued 368 irregular migrants, mostly African nationals, off the coast of the kingdom.

The Agence Marocaine De Presse (MAP) quoted the source stating: “The coast Guard units of the Royal Navy have rescued 368 immigrants between 20 and 23 July.”

The source explained: “The immigrants were struggling onboard 22 rubber boats, 30 kayaks and five rubber wheels,” adding that the immigrants, including seven women and three children who were in poor health, received the necessary first aid onboard the Royal Navy ships before being handed over to the Royal Gendarmerie to implement the established procedures.

In November, Morocco announced thwarting 26,800 irregular migration attempts since the beginning of 2020 and dismantling more than 196 criminal immigration networks, according to a Moroccan Ministry of Interior report.

For years, the Maghreb countries have been suffering an immigration crisis. Significant numbers of its youth and citizens coming from sub-Saharan Africa regularly attempt to cross to European countries on account of their countries’ economic crises.

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