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Hundreds of residents have congregated in the Moroccan border town of Fnideq, displaying photographs of missing family members to anyone who passes through. The crowd is searching for loved ones who may have been caught up in a dramatic surge of migration toward Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta last week.
The unprecedented event saw approximately 72,000 individuals attempt to enter the Spanish territory in a single wave, apparently motivated by social media posts suggesting the crossing would be permitted. Spanish authorities responded swiftly, coordinating with Moroccan officials to return roughly 70,000 people within 48 hours. However, around 2,000 migrants remain in Ceuta, including nearly 900 unaccompanied minors, while others remain unaccounted for.
The human cost of the mass crossing has been severe, with at least 88 deaths reported in Ceuta and 11 additional fatalities in Morocco. Dozens more are still missing. Among those waiting at the border is Hadijja, who has been searching for her unemployed 23-year-old son since Saturday without success. Other returnees described a harrowing experience, with some claiming they had been forcibly removed by police while others said they voluntarily retreated after facing hunger and fear.
Concerns have emerged from humanitarian organizations regarding migrants who may have qualified for asylum protection but were returned before able to file claims. Spanish police have established a missing persons office in Ceuta, while international groups warn that vulnerable children remain at risk on the streets.
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Originally reported by Theguardian →
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