ALGIERS, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Algerian naval forces rescued 23 undocumented migrants of African origin after their boat was found stranded off the country's northern coast, the Defense Ministry announced Tuesday.

The rescue operation carried out on Monday, took place approximately 20 nautical miles north of Cap Djinet in Boumerdes province, about 60 kilometers northeast of the capital Algiers.

The operation follows a recent surge in migration attempts along Algeria's borders. Last week, the Coast Guard intercepted 78 migrants at sea, while army units detained 145 others attempting to cross the country's land borders.

Algeria is a key transit route for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa attempting to reach Europe via the Mediterranean. Enditem

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