Tragedy struck off the northern coast of Morocco as authorities reported the discovery of eight migrant bodies following the sinking of their vessel. Fortunately, nine others were rescued from the perilous waters.
The migrants embarked on their journey from Morocco’s northern Nador region, aiming to cross the Mediterranean on an inflatable boat, stated authorities as per the state news agency MAP. However, the boat succumbed to harsh weather conditions and sank on Tuesday.
Efforts are underway to locate the missing individuals as the search continues, with authorities launching an investigation into the incident. The nationalities of the migrants have not yet been disclosed.
Morocco remains a common departure point for irregular migrants, seeking better opportunities in Europe despite the risks associated with the journey. The Moroccan navy has been actively involved in intercepting and rescuing migrants along the southwestern coast, reflecting the ongoing challenges of migration in the region.
In 2023, the Moroccan army reported intercepting around 87,000 irregular migrants. Spain, in particular, saw a significant increase in undocumented migrant arrivals, with over 56,000 entering the country last year, representing an 82.1 percent surge from 2022. Many of these arrivals were recorded in the Canary Islands, located approximately 100 kilometers from Morocco’s shores.
