The shipwreck occurred near the coastline of the province of Oued ed Dahab, a zone of Western Sahara controlled by Morocco. The survivors were taken to the Dahkla regional hospital, authorities say. The Moroccan navy and gendarmerie launched a search to find possible survivors. An investigation has also been launched into the circumstances of the shipwreck.
Due to its location at the most northwestern point of Africa, Morocco is a transit country for many migrants trying to reach Europe via the Atlantic or Mediterranean coasts. According to the Moroccan navy, a total of 376 migrants were rescued in the first half of February in various operations at sea.