Ceuta forensic director reports 82 migrant deaths in two days

Manolo Aparcero, director of the Institute of Legal Medicine of Ceuta, described a humanitarian crisis following a massive migration attempt at Tarajal Beach. During a two-day period, forensic teams were tasked with processing 82 deceased individuals.

Aparcero noted that while migrant deaths in the context of Ceuta are relatively common, the scale of this specific event was unprecedented. He reported that most fatalities were caused by mechanical asphyxia due to submersion. The surge occurred as migrants attempted to cross the border both by swimming along the Tarajal pier and by scaling land fences.