On Friday, August 13, 2026, 18 more bodies were laid to rest in the anonymous cemetery of Ceuta, adding to the growing number of unidentified migrants who have perished while attempting to cross into Spain from Morocco. The burial took place at the Muslim cemetery in Sidi Embarek, located on the steep slope of the neighborhood. This site has long been the final resting place for hundreds, if not thousands, of undocumented immigrants who died at sea during their perilous journey. These individuals, whose names remain unknown, are buried with numbers rather than names, ranging from 5412 to 5430 this week. The ceremony began shortly before 6 a.m., with five volunteers already present at the site. They had prepared a strip of land approximately 20 meters wide and two meters long, ready to receive the bodies that could no longer remain in the morgue due to advanced decomposition. A neighbor nearby shouted through her window, asking, “Whose motorcycle and car is that?” Another resident descended from his home wearing a tank top and light striped shorts. Eventually, the vehicle owners retrieved their cars. A hearse was expected soon, but before its arrival, regional official Nabila Benzina and deputy mayor and funeral service provider Navil Rahal arrived. Also present was a motorbike driven by a young rider, skillfully maneuvering through the narrow space, carrying stretchers where the deceased would rest. By 5:20 p.m., the first remains arrived. One of the workers opened the trunk and called out, “To the right are the legs.” Each body was carried by four workers, burdened by both the weight of the corpses and the humid, sweltering air. As the bodies were placed on the stretchers, a group gathered around an iron rod, praying together: “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar” (God is great). Looking down, they saw the first four deceased migrants resting on the stretchers. Behind them, a green garden stood in contrast to the arid landscape of the city, stretching toward the neighboring country of Morocco, from which many of these individuals originated. After the prayer, the workers began placing each body into its designated spot. Five others remained standing over the freshly dug graves, continuing their prayers. Once the four were interred, they scattered a white chemical substance over the grave, then placed thin, elongated bricks to seal it. Finally, soil would cover the grave, and a number carved in white stone would mark the location. This process repeated itself until all 18 bodies were buried. Of the over 100 corpses currently held in the morgue, only six have been identified, with one more under investigation. However, none have been returned to Morocco due to the Moroccan government’s refusal to accept the bodies. It is anticipated that such burials will continue regularly, as the number of deaths at sea continues to rise, contributing to the ever-growing list of nameless graves in Ceuta's anonymous cemetery. Meanwhile, the Spanish government announced plans to create four new spaces capable of accommodating up to 1,500 migrants in Ceuta. This decision came 18 days after the mass influx of nearly 80,000 people crossing from Morocco via the sea. The announcement was made by Minister of Migration and Inclusion Elma Saiz during a press conference in Ceuta. She emphasized the importance of institutional collaboration to restore normalcy as quickly as possible. Despite the government’s efforts, tensions remain high, particularly with the president of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas, who has criticized the national government’s handling of the situation. The new facilities include three state-owned sites: the hippodrome, the former football field of the military barracks, and the El Guano area. The fourth, the parking lot near the Loma Colmenar, belongs to the city. Saiz did not specify whether the priority is repatriating the migrants to Morocco or processing asylum claims, instead stating that actions will always comply with current laws. From the Ministry of Inclusion, Security, and Migration, officials reiterated the allocation of nearly 6.5 million euros to enhance medical care, accommodation, and social support for the affected population. Since the beginning of the crisis, the Red Cross has distributed approximately 4,000 daily food kits, hygiene products, and provided 4,000 medical services. However, no figures have been released regarding the saturation level of the Temporary Immigrant Stay Center (CETI), which has a capacity of 512 beds. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez participated in a videoconference from La Mareta in Lanzarote, coordinating with other ministers including Economy, Foreign Affairs, Defense, Interior, and Youth. The meeting aimed to assess the ongoing situation in Ceuta following the massive migration wave on July 30.
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