HIBAPRESS – Mohamed Zerouih
A video circulating on social media has sparked a wave of concern and discontent, after a Moroccan citizen from the expatriate community appeared to be speaking about being bitten, along with other passengers, by what are suspected to be bedbugs, during a sea voyage on a ship coming from France to the port of Nador.
According to the statements made by the individual concerned, he was surprised upon waking up to find bite marks, blisters, and swelling on various parts of his body, including his face, hands, legs, and abdomen. He stated that these symptoms caused him pain and discomfort, turning his sea journey into a disturbing experience instead of a comfortable trip that preserves the safety of passengers.
The matter, according to his account, did not stop at the physical suffering he described, but he also expressed his dissatisfaction with what he considered a lack of the required interaction with his complaint on board. This has brought back to the forefront the discussion about the readiness of the teams supervising maritime voyages to deal with passenger complaints, especially when it comes to concerns related to hygiene and health safety within accommodation and sleeping areas.
This incident, whose full circumstances are not yet clear, raises questions about the conditions of hygiene, disinfection, and monitoring of beds and cabins allocated to passengers, as well as the procedures adopted for dealing with similar cases. It also highlights the need to verify the nature of the reported injuries and their actual link to bedbugs, while awaiting clarifications from the concerned shipping company regarding what was mentioned in the circulated video.
While awaiting clarification of the truth of these allegations, attention is drawn to the relevant authorities to follow up on the matter and verify the conditions of the voyage, ensuring a serious approach to passenger complaints and safeguarding their rights. The safety of Moroccan diaspora members during their sea travel towards their homeland remains a fundamental demand, requiring the provision of suitable travel conditions, a rapid response to any health complaint, and the assignment of responsibilities and the taking of necessary measures once any shortcomings are proven.
