First migrants buried in Spain’s Ceuta after deadly border crossing

The first group of migrants who died during a mass attempt to enter Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco have been buried, nearly three weeks after the deadly border crossing.

Four migrants were buried on Friday at Ceuta’s Muslim cemetery, with a Muslim cleric reciting prayers as the bodies, wrapped in white body bags, were placed in graves facing Mecca. More bodies are expected to be buried in the coming days.

Officials plan to bury about 70 migrants, with between 10 and 12 burials expected each day. Around 95% of the victims have not yet been identified, so authorities have marked their graves with numbered stones in case relatives later identify them and request repatriation.

The mass crossing occurred on July 30, when authorities say at least 72,000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta. The rush resulted in 82 deaths on the Spanish side, while Morocco has confirmed another 14 deaths.

Only six migrants have so far been identified, all Moroccan adult men. Spanish authorities are using fingerprints and DNA comparisons to establish the identities of the victims.

Police say identification has been difficult because many relatives in Morocco have struggled to legally enter Ceuta to provide DNA samples.

Meanwhile, thousands of migrants remain in Ceuta following the unprecedented border crossing, while families continue searching for relatives who remain missing.

• Tweet
• Share
• Share
• Share
• Share