Off Dakhla, 201 migration candidates intercepted, including 18 Senegalese

A canoe carrying irregular migration candidates was intercepted off Dakhla while heading towards the Canary Islands. The operation was carried out on Saturday by units of the Royal Moroccan Navy, 185 kilometres southwest of the city, according to information reported by the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces.

The vessel had left Gambia with 201 people on board. They included 18 Senegalese nationals, including two women and one child. Women and minors were also among those rescued, according to the cited sources.

Care provided after the interception

The occupants of the canoe were taken safely to the Roc-Chico fishing village, located 190 kilometres southwest of Dakhla. After receiving care on board, they were handed over to the Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie for the usual administrative procedures to be initiated.

The breakdown of nationalities reported by the sources lists 144 Guineans, 21 Gambians, 18 Senegalese, 11 Ivorians and five Malians. However, this list totals 199 people, while the overall figure provided is 201.

Consular mission announced

Following the interception, the Senegalese consulate in Dakhla was expected to send a mission to the Bir-Guindouz reception centre to formally identify the Senegalese nationals concerned. The mission was to be led by the Consul General of Senegal in Dakhla, Babou Sène.

The operation comes after another canoe, also departing from Gambia, was intercepted on Wednesday. It was carrying 193 migration candidates, including 75 Senegalese nationals, according to information relayed by the cited media outlets.