Nine African migrants, including seven men and two women, have died from exposure to frigid temperatures near the Morocco-Algeria border, human rights groups reported on Saturday. The Moroccan Association of Human Rights described the deaths as “profoundly troubling” and a violation of the right to freedom of movement.

The remains were found in Ras Asfour, a remote mountainous region known for harsh winter conditions. One of the deceased was identified as being from Guinea, while the others came from various sub-Saharan African countries. Authorities have not disclosed further details about the victims’ identities, and Morocco’s Interior Ministry did not respond to inquiries.

Each year, migrants seeking better living conditions attempt to cross from North Africa to Europe, often targeting Spanish territories. Many try to enter the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla by scaling border fences or swimming, while others attempt the longer route to Spain’s Canary Islands across the Atlantic Ocean.