Six days after the mass crossing into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, dozens of Moroccan families are still waiting for news of relatives who never returned home, with many fearing the worst as the death toll from the tragedy continues to rise.
While tens of thousands of people have returned to Morocco, at least 40 people remain missing, according to the latest list compiled by Spanish news outlet El Faro de Ceuta.
The list includes men, women and children whose families say they have had no contact with them since the crossing.
The updated figure comes after El Faro published an initial list of 43 missing people on Monday. Since then, three have been found alive, but 40 others remain unaccounted for.
Across northern Morocco, uncertainty has turned into days of anxious waiting. Families have gathered near the border, showing photographs of missing relatives to returning migrants and asking anyone arriving from Ceuta whether they have seen them.
Others have spent days contacting hospitals, authorities and aid organizations while sharing photos on Facebook and messaging apps in the hope that someone recognizes their loved ones.
Some families have managed to reunite with relatives after seeing their names or photos circulate online. However, many others remain caught between hope and fear, with no confirmation as to whether their loved ones are alive, injured or among those whose bodies have been recovered from the sea.
Authorities have urged families not to rely solely on social media and reminded them that an official protocol exists for reporting missing persons.
In cases involving children, Ceuta’s Minors’ Unit has established a dedicated hotline — 690 33 20 28 — to answer questions and assist families.
Officials have also advised relatives to formally report disappearances to Spain’s Civil Guard, either in Ceuta or at any Civil Guard station in Spain, and to file police reports to help identify missing persons and speed up search and identification procedures.
The search continues as Spain and Morocco deal with the aftermath of one of the largest migration surges ever recorded at the Ceuta border.
Most migrants have either been returned or voluntarily gone back to Morocco. However, thousands remain in Ceuta, including hundreds of unaccompanied minors who cannot be immediately returned under Spanish law.
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