Moroccan navy arrests 64 would-be emigrants: report

RABAT (AFP) Aug 21, 2004
The Moroccan navy has arrested 64 Moroccans off the country's northeastern coast who were attempting to illegally reach Spain in an inflatable boat, the Moroccan Map news agency said Saturday.

Better weather at this time of year encourages more attempts to reach Europe via Spain from Moroccao's Mediterranean coast, the agency said.

The navy picked up the 64 would-be immigrants off Nador on Friday, it added. Last Saturday, 65 Moroccans were arrested in the same area.

Moroccan and Spanish authorities regularly arrest dozens of North Africans, people from sub-Saharan Africa and Asia trying to clandestinely reach Europe via southern Spain or Spain's Canary Islands.

WAR.WIRE