6 migrants drown off northern Moroccan coast

At least six migrants drowned when a boat used by smugglers to transport illegal migrants to Europe sank off Morocco's northern coast on early Friday, local authorities said.

The boat capsized about six km from the northern city of Nador, the authorities said, adding that of the 20 migrants onboard, 10 were rescued and one in critical conditions. Rescue operations are still going on to search for the rest migrants.

Morocco has become a hub for African migrants who seek to reach Europe for a better life. Thousands of migrants are trying to fled poverty and unrest in Africa each year via Morocco to Europe, either by land into Ceuta and Melilla, two Spanish ports in the Moroccan territory, or by sea to Spain or Italy, often in flimsy vessels.

After European countries and Morocco tightened the security control in the strait of Gibraltar, Morocco then would become a host country of these migrants. Endit