Crossing the Strait of Gibraltar or the western Mediterranean in unstable boats is something that comes at the end of a painful and traumatic journey that for many carries a number of abuses, exploitation from all sides and violent treatment, but also accidents. Many people don’t even make it to the ports of departure.

A tragic death happened on the road as a truck with about 50 people of Sub-Saharan origin on board, in the province of Berkane, crashed. According to Association Marocaine des Droits Humains — Section Nador, they were being transferred towards Nador, presumably by a smuggler, who fled the scene.

18 people according to AMDH, and at least 16 people, according to other sources, were announced dead. In two cases of serious injuries, the people were transferred to Oujda University Hospital. In total, 26 wounded are in Berkane hospital, the hospital reportedly informed.

Among the dead was reportedly a man whose two surviving children are now left without parents.

According to a study by the International Organization for Migration, people on the move from Morocco who arrive to Spain suffer the most. Physical violence, kidnapping, forced labor, arranged marriage offers and jobs in which they weren’t paid what they were owed, are some of the worst things that reportedly almost half of those who arrived to Spain (Morocco’s ‘migration strategy’ partner country) experienced on the way.

Via Are You Syrious

Image: Association Marocaine des Droits Humains — Section Nador