The Institute of Legal Medicine in Ceuta completed autopsies Friday on 82 people who died at sea trying to cross from Morocco.
Forensic specialists conducted the final two autopsies on Friday on bodies recovered on Thursday. The total number of bodies retrieved along the coast of the Spanish city stands at 82.
Forensic Protocol Deactivated
According to a statement from the Institute of Legal Medicine, forensic personnel have identified six victims so far. The completion of the autopsies allowed officials to deactivate the medical-forensic and scientific police response protocol.
Authorities activated the emergency protocol last week due to a migration crisis in the Spanish autonomous city in North Africa. Ceuta authorities also set up a dedicated office to help locate missing persons following the crisis.
Timeline of Body Recoveries
Officials recorded the recovery of the first body on July 29. Search teams retrieved the second body at 7:00 a.m. on July 30.
The second retrieval occurred shortly before a massive arrival of migrants at 9:30 a.m. on July 30. More than 800 minors who arrived in Ceuta during the events are expected to remain in Spain, while right-wing political groups demand their repatriation.
