Moroccan navy rescues 59 migrants at sea

A frigate of the royal navy rescued off Dakhla, in the southern provinces, 59 sub-Saharan migrants.

The migrants were on board a small boat heading to the Canary Islands before they were intercepted by the navy.

About two-thirds of illegal arrivals to Spain were registered in the Canary Island, following a surge in embarkations from West African coasts.

Spanish officials have been commending Morocco’s role in countering illegal migration. Interior minister Marlaska, has described the cooperation as “exemplary,” during his most recent visit to Morocco.

In 2023, Morocco foiled 75,000 migration attempts to Spain. Crossing attempts to the Spanish-occupied enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla have also dropped significantly by 62% to only six attempts involving 1400 migrants, according to the Moroccan interior ministry data.