Six people drown in illegal immigration attempt near Nador

Six people drowned while attempting to immigrate illegally from the coast of the commune of Iaazzanene in the province of Nador on Friday, according to local authorities.

Some 54 would-be illegal immigrants, including one Tunisian national, tried to swim to shore in a zodiac off the coast of the El Kallat beach in the commune of Iaazzanene, the same source noted, adding that difficult weather conditions, high waves and the smuggler’s inability to maneuver after the boat collided with rocks led to the drowning of six people, while 48 others managed to reach land.

As soon as they were informed of the incident, the local authorities and the Royal Gendarmerie and Civil Protection services, accompanied by medical teams, intervened to provide first aid to these people, recover the bodies and comb the area for other victims.

An investigation has been launched by the Royal Gendarmerie under the supervision of the competent public prosecutor’s office to clarify the circumstances of this case and determine the possible ramifications of this criminal activity, according to the same source.