The Moroccan authorities announced on Monday that they have rescued 33 illegal immigrants off the coast of the northern city of Larache. Local authorities of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region said the illegal immigrants were rescued after their boat capsized off Larache and all people on board were safe. Five of them were transferred to the Larache provincial hospital to receive the necessary care. Morocco has become a hub for African migrants who seek to reach Europe for a better life. Thousands of migrants try to flee poverty and unrest in Africa each year via Morocco to Europe, either by land into the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla or by sea often in flimsy vessels. According to Moroccos Interior Ministry, security forces arrested some 50,000 illegal immigrants in 2017 and dismantled over 70 organized illegal immigration networks. Xinhua
