(ANSA) - RABAT, DECEMBER 31 - At least 13 Moroccans have drowned after their boat sank off the southern coast of the country while trying to reach the Canary Islands.
The Moroccan media report it.
The 45 migrants on board were trying to reach the islands' main city, Las Palmas, when their boat hit a rock and sank "10 minutes after" embarking near the town of Mirleft, according to online news service Hespress.
Twenty-four people, including a minor, were rescued while another 8 are missing.
The Moroccan news service 2M reported that the migrants used a dinghy which was "damaged" immediately and "the victims found themselves in the middle of the waves".
The passage cost between 20,000 and 25,000 Moroccan dirhams ($1,900 to $2,400), writes Hespress.
(HANDLE).