Royal Navy Intercepts Migrant Boats off Coast of Dakhla

Tuesday 16 January 2024 - 07:48

In the predawn hours of Monday, Royal Navy patrol boats intercepted two migrant vessels carrying nearly 60 sub-Saharan Africans attempting the perilous journey to the Canary Islands. The interception occurred over 100 miles off the coast of Dakhla in the disputed Western Sahara region.

According to a statement from the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces, the Royal Navy halted one crowded fishing boat approximately 172 km northwest of Dakhla. Simultaneously, a second vessel was stopped some 266 km southwest of the coastal city. Both migrant boats had set sail on the dangerous Atlantic crossing, aiming to reach the Spanish archipelago.

All 59 passengers migrants fleeing poverty and unrest in countries like Senegal, Mali, and Guinea received assistance from the Moroccan military after being transferred to the patrol ships. Subsequently, the detained men, women, and children were handed over to the Royal Gendarmerie upon reaching land, where they will undergo processing for illegal entry.

While Morocco has intensified efforts to curb migration, the country remains a crucial departure point for African migrants seeking to reach Europe. This year alone, over 500 individuals have lost their lives attempting the perilous journey from Western Africa to the Canaries, marking it as one of the deadliest routes for asylum seekers worldwide.