9 African migrants died in freezing temperatures near Morocco-Algeria border
Exposure to freezing temperatures near the Moroccan-Algerian border has resulted in the deaths of nine African migrants. This incident has raised concerns regarding the right to freedom of movement, according to rights groups in Morocco.
Exposure to freezing temperatures near the Moroccan-Algerian border has resulted in the deaths of nine African migrants. This incident has raised concerns regarding the right to freedom of movement, according to rights groups in Morocco.
The bodies of seven men and two women were discovered in Ras Asfour, a remote mountainous region in Morocco, where temperatures plunge during winter, as reported by the Moroccan Association of Human Rights. These individuals succumbed to the extreme cold, which their exhausted bodies could not withstand.
One of the deceased was identified as being from Guinea, while the others were from various sub-Saharan African countries. Detailed information about their identities remains unavailable. The Moroccan Interior Ministry has not provided immediate comments regarding the fatalities.
Annually, numerous migrants attempt to cross from North Africa to Europe, including routes from Morocco to Spain. Some target the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla by scaling fences or swimming, while others aim for Spain's Canary Islands via the Atlantic Ocean.
Exposure to freezing temperatures near the Moroccan-Algerian border has resulted in the deaths of nine African migrants.
Morocco's security forces frequently report thwarting such migration attempts. North Africa serves as a crucial transit point for migrants heading towards Europe's southern borders. Security agreements with the European Union have enhanced the capability of authorities in North Africa to deter migration.
Many migrants, initially intending to reach Europe, spend extended periods working informally in sectors like construction, agriculture, or domestic work. Others rely on aid while awaiting opportunities to cross the Mediterranean Sea or the Atlantic Ocean.
The Moroccan Association of Human Rights mentioned that six of the deceased were buried last week, with two bodies retained at the request of their relatives. The association has committed to following up on this case.
The Moroccan Organization of Human Rights has advocated for the humanization of borders, the decriminalization of illegal migration and residence, and the establishment of mechanisms to track missing migrants to prevent incidents like the tragedy in Ras Asfour.
Based on reporting by Africanews.
