88 Bodies Recovered from Ceuta Waters Following Recent Migration Wave

Spanish media reports indicate that 88 bodies have been recovered from the waters off Ceuta, a city under Spanish administration. On Sunday, El País reported Ceuta authorities prepared the city morgue for around 200 bodies, as search and recovery operations continue following the recent irregular migration wave. This total (88 bodies) surpasses the official count of 72 announced by Miguel Ángel Pérez Triano, the Spanish government delegate in Ceuta. Sources noted not all bodies in the morgue are from this week's mass crossing events; some show decomposition signs suggesting a longer period in the water. Earlier Sunday, the Spanish government delegate in Ceuta announced the death toll from the latest crossing wave rose to 72 individuals, according to Spanish news agency EFE. EFE cited increased reports and inquiries from Moroccan families seeking missing relatives since the July 30 mass crossing wave. Dozens of families also gathered at the border fence, searching for children presumed to have died during these crossings. In a related context, Spanish security sources reported Saturday that approximately 69,500 irregular migrants who entered Ceuta recently returned to Morocco. Spanish authorities also completed installing a 500-meter floating security barrier at the Tarajal border crossing to deter irregular crossing attempts. These developments follow tens of thousands of Moroccans gathering for days near the Ceuta border fence, attempting to reach the city and then Europe irregularly. No immediate comment was available from Moroccan authorities on victims, migrants, or returnees. Ceuta and Melilla, on Morocco's northern coast, are under Spanish administration, though Rabat seeks their return.