800,000 Moroccan expatriates crossed Strait of Gibraltar since holidays

Some 820,277 Moroccan nationals settled in Europe have crossed the Strait of Gibraltar since June 15, 1998, going back home for the summer holidays.

According to the coordination committee of Transit Operation-98, which disclosed the figures, the number of vehicles having embarked in Spanish southern ports on their way to Morocco has reached 186,730.

The ferry-boats of maritime companies servicing southern Spain and Northern Morocco have conducted a total of 2,712 shuttles between the two banks of the strait. The number of persons and vehicles have respectively increased by 9 percent and 3 percent compared to the same period in 1997.

Assistant director general of the Spanish civilian guard described at a news conference in Algesiras on friday the transit operation as highly satisfactory. The transit, he said, is taking place in normal conditions.