France to repatriate Moroccan stowaways intercepted in marseille
Morocco-France, Local, 10/30/2003

A group of 22 Moroccans who arrived in the French Mediterranean port city of Marseille, hiding in a Cargo owned by a Moroccan company, will be repatriated in the same boat.

The 22 youths, most of them from Casablanca, hid in containers before being discovered by a sailor. They say they were left without food nor water by the boat crew during the four days of the trip.

When the boat "Aknoul" arrived in Marseille port, the group attempted to break free but in vain. Two of them even jumped in the sea but were caught rapidly.

According to agents at the port's detention center, "it is the first time so many stowaways are found at a time. In general, they arrive by groups of two or three." Morocco's consul general visited the young Moroccans to inquire about their state.

A representative from the Moroccan sailing company "Comanav" in the French Mediterranean city affirmed that the cargo was searched and ridded of some thirty candidates to illegal immigration before its departure from Casablanca on Saturday. The remaining 22 must have hidden in containers that had been sealed, he added.

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