RABAT, Morocco -                           The Moroccan navy has rescued  about 242 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa who were trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Spain in flimsy boats, the official MAP press agency reported late Friday.

The Press agency, said the refugees, including 50 women and 12 children, were rescued from several inflatable boats which had got into difficulty.

“The migrants, some of whom were unwell, were taken safely to port,” the agency said.

So far this year, more than 15,000 such migrants have made it to Spain, 12,000 by the sea route, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates.

It also revealed that over 200 persons have died in the attempt.

The European Union, while aiming to halt the migrant influx, last year gave Morocco 140 million euros to support efforts to curb human traffickers.

#AL ARABIYA