🇩🇿AlgeriaNorth Africa
Three Algerians disappear at sea attempting to swim from Morocco to Ceuta
via Algérie3602 min read
Three Algerian men, Mustafa 32, Omar 42, and Iskandar 20, have been missing since Friday, July 17, after attempting to swim from Fnideq, Morocco, to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The trio, equipped with fins and neoprene wetsuits, entered the water around 7 AM, intending to bypass the Tarajal border security by sea. During their attempt, they made a phone call for help, stating, "We see a mountain... help us," before the line disconnected. This desperate attempt, reported by El Faro de Ceuta, has caused distress for their families. The disappearance has led to search notices with their photos circulating on social media among Algerians in Ceuta. This incident highlights a dangerous migratory route; despite the short distance, the swim between Fnideq and Ceuta is perilous due to strong currents, cold water, and strict border controls. Official figures from the Guardia Civil, reported by El Pueblo de Ceuta, indicate a grim trend: 46 bodies were recovered from the enclave's coastline in 2025, and 21 deaths have already been recorded in 2026, matching the total for all of 2024. Increasingly, Algerians are traveling through northern Morocco to attempt this dangerous swim to Spain, a shift from the traditional boat routes originating from Algiers or the western Algerian coast.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Algérie360.
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