Authorities in Ceuta, the Spanish territory in North Africa, have begun burying migrants who died during a deadly mass attempt to cross the border from Morocco last month.
The first victims were laid to rest at a Muslim cemetery in Ceuta, with graves marked only by numbers because most of the bodies have not yet been identified. The burials are being carried out in accordance with Islamic rites.
More Than 90 Migrants Died
The tragedy occurred on July 30, when tens of thousands of migrants attempted to enter Ceuta from Morocco. Spanish authorities recorded at least 82 deaths on the Spanish side, while Morocco reported additional fatalities, taking the overall death toll to more than 90. Many victims drowned or were crushed during the chaotic rush.
Authorities have faced major difficulties identifying the dead. Only a small number of victims have so far been formally identified using fingerprints and DNA samples provided by relatives.
Families Await Answers
The unidentified bodies have been placed in numbered graves to allow authorities to identify and repatriate them later if relatives come forward.
Families in Morocco continue to search for missing relatives, while rights groups have urged authorities to make every effort to identify the victims before completing the burial process.
The mass border crossing was reportedly fueled in part by social media misinformation suggesting that the border to Spain was open. Poverty, unemployment and limited economic opportunities also contributed to the desperation among many of those who attempted the crossing.
Humanitarian Crisis Continues
The deaths have added to the humanitarian crisis in Ceuta, where thousands of migrants remain after the mass influx.
Spanish and Moroccan authorities are facing continued pressure to address the conditions of migrants, identify those who died and help families recover the remains of their loved ones.
The burial of the first victims marks another painful chapter in one of the deadliest migration crises to hit Ceuta in recent years.
