Ceuta Begins Burial Of Migrants Killed In Deadly Morocco Border Crossing

Ceuta has begun burying unidentified migrants who died during a mass attempt to cross from Morocco into Spanish territory, as families continue to seek information about missing relatives.

Eighteen migrants were buried on Friday at Ceuta's Muslim cemetery, with Islamic prayers recited as workers lowered the bodies into numbered graves. The markings are intended to allow the remains to be identified and repatriated later if relatives come forward. The burials are expected to continue over the coming days.

The victims were among at least 82 people who died on the Spanish side during the July 30 border surge, when around 72,000 migrants attempted to enter Ceuta from Morocco. Morocco has separately reported 14 deaths, taking the reported toll to more than 90. Many victims drowned or were crushed in a stampede while trying to cross a breakwater near a border checkpoint.

The Moroccan Association for Human Rights has urged Ceuta to suspend the burials until authorities exhaust efforts to identify the victims and return their remains to their families in Morocco. The organisation described the burials as another human tragedy and called for the bodies to be treated with dignity.

Identification has remained a major challenge. Reuters reported that only six victims had been identified through fingerprints and DNA comparisons with samples provided by relatives. Authorities say difficulties faced by Moroccan families in crossing the border to provide DNA have slowed the process.

Ceuta authorities say paperwork for repatriation has been completed, but Morocco has not accepted the bodies. Morocco's foreign ministry has not responded publicly to questions over the repatriation dispute.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Ceuta continues. Although most migrants who entered during the July surge returned to Morocco, local authorities estimate that up to 10,000 remain in the territory, while Spain's national government puts the number closer to 5,000.

The Spanish government recently announced plans to allow around 500 unaccompanied migrant children in Ceuta to relocate to mainland Spain, marking a policy shift amid continued pressure over the migrant influx.

Authorities in Morocco and Spain have blamed social media misinformation and smuggling networks for fuelling the mass crossing. Migrants, however, have pointed to unemployment, low wages and a lack of opportunities as reasons for risking the journey.