The Moroccan navy successfully intercepted 141 individuals attempting to cross the Atlantic Ocean, as the surge in migration from West Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands has intensified since the start of the year. The Royal Armed Forces of Morocco announced this accomplishment in a statement on Sunday, revealing that the rescue operation took place off the coast of Western Sahara, a disputed territory under Morocco Halts control since 1975.
All 141 individuals rescued were identified as coming from sub-Saharan Africa, and it is believed they had set sail over a week earlier from Mauritania, Morocco’s southern neighbor and a key departure point for migrants seeking to reach Spain’s Canary Islands. This interception marks the largest reported by Moroccan authorities in the current year.
Despite the proximity of the Canary Islands to Morocco’s Atlantic coast—approximately 62 miles (100 kilometers)—migrants often embark on their journeys from regions as distant as the Gambia. The wooden vessels, known as pirogues, frequently used for these perilous crossings, can take up to 10 days to reach their destination, according to the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.
Spain’s Interior Ministry reported a significant increase in arrivals to the Canary Islands, with 11,704 migrants reaching the archipelago as of February 15—a more than sixfold rise compared to the same period the previous year. The majority of these migrants have departed from Mauritania, which recently entered into a 210 million euro agreement with the European Union. The pact includes funding for enhanced migration patrolling and humanitarian aid, reflecting ongoing efforts to address the complex challenges posed by irregular migration in the region.
