RABAT, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Morocco's navy coast guards on Thursday rescued 156 migrants from the Mediterranean Sea, the Moroccan army said in a statement.

The rescued, mostly African migrants, included 15 women and 3 children who were facing difficulties onboard several inflatable boats, said the statement.

The rescued, some of whom were in poor health state, received the necessary medical care onboard the navy coast guards vessels, and were brought safely to different Moroccan northern ports, the same source added.

Morocco has become a hub for African migrants who seek to reach Europe for a better life.

Thousands of migrants try to flee poverty and unrest in Africa each year via Morocco to Europe, either by land into Spain's two north African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla or by sea often in flimsy vessels.

According to the Moroccan authorities, more than 40,300 illegal immigration attempts were foiled in the first six months of 2019.