Moroccan navy rescues 67 migrants in Atlantic
The Moroccan Navy rescued 67 migrants on Friday after their inflatable boat began to sink off the coast of Tarfaya in the southwestern region of Morocco.
The migrants, including a woman and three minors, were taken to the port of Laayoune in Western Sahara for medical attention.
The rescue operation was conducted by the Royal Navy's Maritime Rescue and Assistance Center (MRAC). The MRAC said that the inflatable boat was overloaded and in danger of sinking when it was spotted by a Royal Navy patrol vessel. The patrol vessel quickly deployed a rescue team, which was able to safely evacuate all of the migrants from the sinking boat.
The rescued migrants are believed to be from sub-Saharan Africa. They are now being held in Laayoune, where they will undergo further medical examinations and be processed by Moroccan authorities.
The Moroccan Navy has been active in patrolling the country's coastline in recent months in an effort to prevent illegal migration. In the first five months of 2023, Moroccan authorities have thwarted approximately 26,000 cases of unauthorized migration attempts.
The rescue of the 67 migrants off the coast of Tarfaya is a reminder of the dangers that migrants face when they attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea in search of a better life. The Moroccan Navy's efforts to rescue migrants in distress are commendable, and they help to save lives. (ILKHA)