42 unidentified bodies buried in Ceuta after mass migrant crossing

Authorities in Ceuta have buried 42 unidentified migrant men who died during a mass attempt to enter the Spanish-occupied territory on July 30 and 31, with further burials expected in the coming days, local media reported.

The bodies were buried in three collective ceremonies over three days at the Sidi Embarek cemetery, according to El Faro de Ceuta.

The first burial took place Friday, when 18 unidentified bodies were transferred from a temporary morgue at a military hospital to the cemetery. The bodies were moved four at a time following a collective prayer at the hospital and were buried in graves numbered 5408 through 5425.

A second group of 12 bodies was buried Saturday afternoon in graves 5426 through 5437.

Another 12 bodies were buried Sunday, bringing the total number of unidentified victims laid to rest at the cemetery to 42. The latest group was buried in graves numbered 5439 through 5446, according to El Faro.

The newspaper reported that authorities ensured the burials and prayers were conducted with the same dignity afforded to other funerals. Staff from Ceuta’s regional Health Ministry attended the ceremonies.

None of the 42 bodies buried so far has been identified, according to El Faro.

Nine other people who died during the crossing attempt have been identified through DNA testing, including eight men and one woman. Their remains are still awaiting repatriation to Morocco.

Spanish Civil Guard officers recovered the bodies from waters off Ceuta. They were subsequently held at the military hospital morgue before being transferred to the cemetery.

El Faro reported that the burials are expected to continue in the coming days, with nearly 90 bodies ultimately expected to be laid to rest.

Each unidentified body has been assigned a number and buried in a specific grave, allowing authorities to trace its location should relatives later come forward to claim the remains, the newspaper reported.

The burials have raised legal and humanitarian concerns in Morocco. Rights groups have called for the process to be halted and for the bodies to be repatriated to Morocco, arguing that the victims should first be identified and their families contacted.

Ceuta authorities had been awaiting judicial authorization to proceed with the burials, as the legal period for preserving the bodies had already expired, according to local reports.