French Retirees Stranded in Morocco for Months Await Repatriation

"We didn’t think it would be so long... When will we be able to go home?", Jean impatiently wonders. His wish, he says, is to reunite with his children and grandchildren. Jean and Monique had received emails from the French consulate in Agadir informing them that they would be boarding ferries to the port of Sète, France, or Malaga, Spain, with the GNV and Balearia companies, on June 2, 9, 16 or 23..., reports Le Parisien. After that, nothing. The couple is still stuck in Morocco.

Meanwhile, boats from the company continue to leave the port. Although the sexagenarian spent 6 days in the Agadir hospital at the end of May due to severe dizziness, his repatriation is not a priority for the consulate. In Jean’s eyes, the boats are insufficient. "A few boats will not be enough to repatriate all the motorhome owners stranded in Morocco," he laments. According to him, "everyone is overwhelmed, there is panic on board". He says he is "angry with the consular authorities" who "have royally ignored us so far".

The Vosges resident bought his ticket costing around 650 euros (in addition to the return ticket already paid for before the epidemic) from GNV in the hope of being able to board a ferry on June 13. Except that there are rumors that the boat may not be able to dock, for lack of authorization. For its part, the company neither denies nor confirms these rumors. "We are willing to be extorted, but we want to be repatriated," insists Jean. The retiree is willing to buy a third return ticket, provided he is certain he can finally return to France.

In Morocco, the lockdown has been extended again. This time until July 10.