Dozens of Moroccans gathered on Sunday in the town of Fnideq, desperately seeking news of their loved ones who were among the thousands who swam across the nearby border to the Spanish territory of Ceuta this week.
Aldellatif, an agricultural worker in Moulay Bousselham, about 135 kilometres (84 miles) from Fnideq, feared for the fate of his 17-year-old brother, who ventured out with two friends in a bid to reach Ceuta by swimming.
More than 60,000 made it to the territory in the past days, but the vast majority were turned back to Fnideq, where buses awaited to transport them back to their families.
According to the Spanish authorities, 72 deaths were recorded, but the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) said the death toll was close to 130, with dozens still missing.
"Two of my brother's friends called me on Friday to tell me that they had left the day before, but he pulled a muscle and they were separated," said Abdellatif, 27.
