Jamila Afelom, a mother from Tétouan, Morocco, identified her daughter, Fatin Ben Homar Azizi, solely by a necklace she had given her before she embarked on a perilous journey to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco by swimming. After a day and a half, Afelom discovered her daughter’s lifeless body in a hospital. Recalling the tragic events of late July, Afelom described Fatin as bold, determined, and somewhat boyish.
Fatin, a 26-year-old with a passion for soccer, often skipped school to play football, leaving her schoolbag behind. She trained with Coach Adel El Kaab of Moghreb Athletic Tétouan, progressing to Moghreb Atletico Tanger. El Kaab, who volunteered to coach women’s teams, affectionately referred to Fatin as a younger sister and lamented her loss.
Despite warnings about the dangers of irregular migration routes, many players, including Fatin, sought a brighter future in Europe. Afelom, a single mother who works at a cemetery, recounted her daughter’s determination to escape poverty. Fatin’s father’s death at an early age had left Afelom to raise four children.
At the end of July, a surge of Moroccans and migrants attempted to cross into Ceuta, prompting Afelom to urge Fatin to stay home. However, Fatin, determined to seek a better life, ignored her mother’s pleas. Tragically, Fatin lost her life in the attempt.
Fatin’s family searched tirelessly until they found her body in a Fnideq hospital. The Moroccan human rights organization reported numerous deaths during the crossing, with many bodies remaining unidentified. Fatin was laid to rest in the cemetery where she once worked alongside her mother.
The story underscores the harsh realities faced by many Moroccan youth, with dreams of escaping economic hardship through migration to Europe. Despite efforts to raise awareness about the risks, the recent influx into Ceuta caught many off guard. Afelom mourns Fatin’s death while worrying about her surviving children, including a daughter lost in Ceuta.
As the family grapples with the aftermath, the tragedy serves as a poignant reminder of the perils faced by those seeking a better life beyond their borders.