Morocco says rescues 249 illegal immigrants off northern coast

RABAT, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Morocco's navy rescued 249 Sub-Saharan illegal immigrants off the northern coast, the army said Monday.

The 249 immigrants, including women and children, were rescued from several inflatable boats in the Mediterranean on May 25-26 by the patrolling coastguards.

They had been brought to the ports of the northern cities Ksar-Sghir, Al-Hoceima and Nador.

The Moroccan government said it has thwarted more than 30,000 illegal immigration attempts since the beginning of 2019, while over 80,000 such attempts were foiled last year.