Morocco rescues more than 10,000 migrants at sea

On December 26, the Malian government said a boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of Morocco, leaving 70 people missing, including 25 from Mali.

Moroccan military forces strengthen control of illegal migration by sea. (Source: Getty)

About 80 migrants were on board the Spain-bound ship when it sank on December 19. Of the identified victims, 25 were Malians. In addition, of the 11 survivors, nine were also from the West African country.

Morocco continues to face increasing migration pressure as a direct result of the ongoing instability in the Sahel region. In the first nine months of 2024 alone, Morocco prevented more than 45,000 illegal migrants from reaching Europe and dismantled 177 human trafficking gangs. Meanwhile, the country’s navy rescued more than 10,000 migrants in distress at sea.

The North African country has long been a major departure point for African migrants seeking to reach Europe via the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean or by climbing over fences surrounding the Spanish African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla.

Morocco's tighter surveillance of its northern borders is pushing more migrants to attempt the longer and more dangerous Atlantic route to Spain's Canary Islands.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/morocco-giai-cuu-hon-10000-nguoi-di-cu-tren-bien-298839.html