Morocco foils attempt of 53 Sub-Saharans to illegally immigrate to Europe

Authorities in the southern Moroccan city of Laayoune foiled Monday the attempt of 53 Sub-Saharan illegal immigrants to cross over to the Canary Islands, local authorities said.

The would-be immigrants include 19 Senegalese, 18 Gambians, 14 Malians and 2 Mauritanians.

Thousands of people risk their lives every year to illegally immigrate to Europe, using Morocco as a transit.

Since January, 3,714 would-be immigrants were arrested in the region of Laayoune alone, part of an all-out operation to crack down on illegal immigration.