Thousands of migrants, including many from Morocco, recently rushed toward the border with the small Spanish exclave of Ceuta in North Africa, seeking better lives in Europe. At least 72 migrants died in the attempt, with some drowning and others trampled in the charge. Many of the migrants have since returned to Morocco, but a few thousand remain in Ceuta, with some still unaccounted for.

Uncertainty and Fear for Families

Omar Lotfi, a 24-year-old from Dar Bouazza, Morocco, is among those who remain missing. His family has been searching for him since he went missing on July 31, after leaving his hometown to attempt to cross into Ceuta. Despite their efforts to contact hospitals, aid groups, and authorities, they have not received any information about his whereabouts.

Lotfi’s sister, Mariem, expressed the family’s desperation and uncertainty, saying, “We do not know where he is, whether he is safe, whether he was taken to a hospital, detained, or if something else happened… The uncertainty has been devastating for our family.” The family is urging anyone with information about Omar’s whereabouts to come forward.

Concerns for Minors

Among the migrants who remain in Ceuta are over 800 minors, according to the Ceuta government. Abdullah Al-Hafi, a 17-year-old, is thought to be among them. His family last heard from him when he was heading to the Moroccan border town of Fnideq on July 30. Fourteen-year-old Nada Shiba also went missing after becoming separated from her mother at the border.

Rights groups are expressing concern about the situation, particularly for the minors who have crossed the border. Catalina Perazzo, director of advocacy and regional development at Save the Children in Spain, emphasized the need to ensure that these children receive the care and protection they need, saying, “They’re entitled to this individual assessment and a safe place to sleep, to protection from harm and access to this specialized care.”

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.