3 irregular migrants killed when their boat capsize off coast of Morocco

By Khalid Mejdoup and Ekrem Biceroglu

RABAT, Morocco (AA) - Three people were killed when an irregular migrant boat capsized off the coast of Morocco, according to authorities.

The migrants were killed when the rubber boat they were in attempted to reach the Canary Islands and the Western Sahara region, capsized while crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the administration of the coastal city of Tarfaya said in a statement.

Teams rescued 45 irregular migrants attempting to reach the Canary Islands under Spanish administration and the Western Sahara region of Morocco.

The Moroccan Interior Ministry announced Jan. 23 that 75,184 irregular migrants were nabbed in 2023.

Every year, thousands of irregular migrants set sail from Africa to the Mediterranean in hopes of reaching Europe for a better life.

While some manage to reach Europe, others perish at sea.

Due to its proximity to European shores, Morocco is among the regions irregular migrants frequently use as transit points.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz.