Reuters AlertNet Lite - Morocco says 9 migrants die on voyage to Canaries

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Morocco says 9 migrants die on voyage to Canaries

30 Dec 2006 20:57:06 GMT
Source: Reuters

RABAT, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Moroccan police retrieved the bodies of nine sub-Saharan illegal migrants from the waters off Western Sahara on Saturday after their boat capsized on its way to Spain's Canary Islands, state news agency MAP said.

Another makeshift vessel with 59 people on board was intercepted and its passengers taken to a centre in Laayoune, the principle town in the desert territory, MAP cited local officials as saying.

On Friday, Moroccan police foiled an attempt by 111 migrants to set off for the Canaries from Akhfennir, 170 kilometres (105 miles) north of Laayoune, the agency added.

Tens of thousands of Africans have tried to reach the Canary Islands this year packed into wooden fishing boats and almost one in six died in the attempt, Spanish officials said last week.

The treacherous ocean route has become increasingly popular after passage from Morocco's northern coast to the Spanish mainland was made almost impossible by new radar systems and more regular coastal patrols.

But the sea journey of more than 1,000 km (625 miles) to the Canaries sees many of the migrants die by drowning or from hunger, thirst and exhaustion.

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Last updated:Wed Jan 3 09:54:14 2007