Morocco arrests 111 after migrant storming of Ceuta; death toll disputed
Translated from Polish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Moroccan authorities arrested at least 111 people following a mass influx of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
- Thousands of migrants remain camped near the border, with human rights groups accusing officials of underreporting the death toll.
- Spain's government reported 82 deaths, while Moroccan authorities claim 14, but rights groups say at least 63 bodies were taken to morgues.
Moroccan security forces arrested at least 111 people in connection with the migrant crisis in Ceuta, the Spanish exclave in North Africa. Thousands of African migrants had entered Ceuta in late July. The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) reported that most detainees are held in prisons in Nador and Tetouan.
The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) estimates that most of the detainees in connection with the mass entry into Ceuta on July 30 and 31 are temporarily held in prisons in Nador and Tetouan.
AMDH warns of a continued risk of migrants attempting to storm the border to reach Ceuta. Around 3,500 young migrants were camped near the autonomous city as of Saturday. Spain's government stated that approximately 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta on July 30 and 31, with 70,000 returning to Morocco in the following days.
According to the Spanish government, approximately 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta on July 30 and 31, with 70,000 returning to Morocco in the following days.
The Spanish government raised the death toll from the crisis to 82, an increase of four. However, Moroccan authorities maintain that only 14 people died on their side during the mass entry. Human rights organizations like Caminando Fronteras dispute this figure, claiming at least 63 bodies of migrants who died en route to Ceuta were taken to Moroccan hospital morgues.
Human rights organizations, including Caminando Fronteras, claim that at least 63 bodies of migrants who died on the way to Ceuta were taken to hospital morgues in Morocco.
Originally published by Rzeczpospolita in Polish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.