Morocco : Irregular migration attempt from Tarfaya coastal strip foiled

An irregular migration attempt from the coastal strip under the territorial jurisdiction of Tarfaya province was foiled on Monday morning, local authorities in the province said, adding that 40 irregular migrants, including 12 women, from sub-Saharan countries were arrested.

The bodies of seven African citizens, including five women, were washed up by the sea in the same area, added the same source.

The irregular migrants have been placed in sanitary isolation, awaiting testing for the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) by the competent health authorities, according to the source, which stated that the seven bodies have been kept in the morgue of the provincial hospital of Laayoune.

An investigation has been initiated by the competent authorities under the supervision of the public prosecutor's office with a view to determining the circumstances of this case.