15 bodies found, 53 rescued off Mediterranean in Morocco

Morocco's navy rescued 53 migrants and found 15 dead bodies in the Mediterranean Saturday, the Moroccan army announced.

The Moroccan royal navy units on patrol in the Mediterranean found the migrants' boat in difficulty off the northern city of Nador, the same source pointed out.

The rescued migrants are from sub-Saharan African countries, including eight women, the source noted.

The guards found also 15 bodies onboard the boat whose engine was damaged.

Morocco has witnessed a significant hike in illegal immigration attempts till now in 2018.

According to the Moroccan Interior Ministry, the authorities have foiled some 68,000 illegal immigration attempts between January and September.