A Morocco Royal Navy unit intercepted, Saturday, 200 km southwest of Dakhla, a pirogue carrying 42 would-be irregular migrants of Malian nationality, according to a military source.
The pirogue in question had set sail from the town of Nouakchott in Mauritania on October 22, 2023, with the intention of traveling to the Canary Islands, the source added.
The rescued individuals were safely brought to the port of Dkhila (200 km south of Dakhla). They were then handed over to the Royal Gendarmerie for the usual administrative procedures.
Historically, the Canary Islands have been considered the point of connection between Africa, North America, South America and Europe. They are located around 100 kilometers west of Morocco. Since the 1990s, many illegal immigrants have arrived in the Canary Islands, using Morocco as their main entry route to Europe.