A wooden boat used by migrants from Morocco sits on the shore on the coast of the Canary Island of Gran Canaria, Spain. AP
A wooden boat used by migrants from Morocco sits on the shore on the coast of the Canary Island of Gran Canaria, Spain. AP
A wooden boat used by migrants from Morocco sits on the shore on the coast of the Canary Island of Gran Canaria, Spain. AP
A wooden boat used by migrants from Morocco sits on the shore on the coast of the Canary Island of Gran Canaria, Spain. AP

MENA

Moroccan navy intercepts 190 migrants off its coast

Sailors saw the migrants in flimsy boats off Morocco's southern coast

Soraya Ebrahimi
Soraya Ebrahimi

August 22, 2023

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Almost 200 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa were rescued by Morocco's navy on Tuesday after they were seen in flimsy boats off the country's southern coast, state media reported.

At least 518 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa have been taken back to Morocco since August 8, including the latest group, according to an AFP tally based on Moroccan military sources.

The navy found the latest group, of 190 migrants, in "waters between Tan-Tan and Dakhla", a military source told state news agency Map. Among them were 11 women, Map said.

Spain's Canary Islands are only about 150km off southern Morocco, west of Tan-Tan.

The Canary migratory route has experienced a marked surge in activity in recent weeks.

100,000 migrants cross the Channel in five years - in pictures

It is thought the number of migrants who have arrived in the UK since 2018 by crossing the English Channel on small boats now exceeds 100,000. PA
It is thought the number of migrants who have arrived in the UK since 2018 by crossing the English Channel on small boats now exceeds 100,000. PA
The milestone adds pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to fulfil his pledge to “stop the boats”. PA
The milestone adds pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to fulfil his pledge to “stop the boats”. PA
An aerial view shows rolled-up inflatable dinghies and outboard engines, stored in a Port Authority yard in Dover. AFP
An aerial view shows rolled-up inflatable dinghies and outboard engines, stored in a Port Authority yard in Dover. AFP
A group of people thought to be migrants are driven away from Dover. PA
A group of people thought to be migrants are driven away from Dover. PA
Migrants are being hosted on the Bibby Stockholm, which is being used as an accommodation barge in Dorset. AFP
Migrants are being hosted on the Bibby Stockholm, which is being used as an accommodation barge in Dorset. AFP
Migrants seeking asylum in the UK have also been housed at Napier Barracks in Folkestone, Kent. PA
Migrants seeking asylum in the UK have also been housed at Napier Barracks in Folkestone, Kent. PA
A migrant walks back to his makeshift camp at sunrise after a failed attempt to cross the Channel in Sangatte, near Calais. Reuters
A migrant walks back to his makeshift camp at sunrise after a failed attempt to cross the Channel in Sangatte, near Calais. Reuters

Moroccan authorities said they stopped 26,000 irregular migration attempts in the first five months of 2023.

In the first six months, 7,213 migrants reached the Canary Islands by boat, Spanish Interior Ministry figures show.

At least 13 Senegalese died in mid-July when their boat sank off Morocco, authorities in Senegal say.

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Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

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On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

Updated: August 22, 2023, 8:26 PM`
MoroccoMigrants