91 Killed as Hundreds of Migrant Children Left Homeless in Spain's Ceuta

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Ceuta: Hundreds of unaccompanied migrant children are sleeping on the streets of Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta after a mass border crossing from Morocco, raising fears of abuse, trafficking and exploitation, aid organisations have warned.

Most of the roughly 72,000 migrants who entered Ceuta last week have since returned to Morocco, but around 2,000 remain, including more than 1,000 unaccompanied children, according to local authorities. The city's reception facilities have been overwhelmed, leaving many children without adequate food, shelter or sanitation.

Humanitarian groups said some children have already been assaulted and warned that girls are particularly vulnerable to violence and trafficking. Authorities are setting up emergency shelters, while charities continue providing food and other basic supplies.

The Spanish government has approved emergency funding to support the children, although plans to relocate them to other regions have faced political opposition. Morocco has also said it is working to identify unaccompanied minors for possible return.

The migrant surge turned deadly, with 91 people killed during the crossings, including 80 on the Spanish side of the border and 11 on the Moroccan side, according to authorities. Many migrants said they had risked the journey to escape poverty and seek a better future in Europe.

Pic Credit: AFP