“The Great Influx” to Spain... 67 Dead in Ceuta
Ceuta (Spain) - AFP, Reuters - Madrid announced that the majority of migrants who had flooded into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta since Thursday have been returned to Morocco, as the Spanish capital faced intense criticism from European countries. The migration issue is highly sensitive in Europe, while at least 67 migrants died during their attempt to reach the enclave, according to Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, who added that “in less than 48 hours, the situation has changed completely and is almost normal.”
The Spanish government confirmed that “almost” all migrants who arrived by land or sea had been returned to Morocco, amounting to approximately 48,000 people out of 50,000, according to the Interior Ministry, while Ceuta’s regional president, Juan Jesús Vivas, estimated the number at around 60,000.
Meanwhile, Spain’s state broadcaster announced that about 500 people attempted to cross the border into Melilla, amid heightened security alerts to protect the border and curb attempts to breach the fence. Moroccan media reported that security forces foiled new attempts to reach Melilla.
The enclave of Ceuta, located on the northern coast of Morocco near the Strait of Gibraltar with a population of 84,000, along with the enclave of Melilla, constitutes the only two land border points between Africa and Europe.
To prevent migrants from crossing the border by swimming, a 500-meter-long floating barrier was erected in the Mediterranean Sea, according to Madrid.
Reuters footage showed soldiers and police patrolling the beach at Tarajal, one of the main points used by individuals attempting to enter the small Spanish territory.
Since Thursday, Italy has called for Spain’s suspension from the Schengen Area, with support from Finland and Denmark. However, Madrid viewed this proposal as “demagogic.”
Twenty-two EU governments called for an emergency meeting of interior ministers, while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized that “the European Union cannot tolerate this kind of selfish, divisive, and illegal reaction.”
This is the largest influx of irregular migrants into Ceuta from Morocco since 2021, when approximately 10,000 migrants arrived.
In Washington, President Donald Trump, who has made combating irregular migration a central priority, described the images circulating from Ceuta as resembling an “invasion of the country,” accusing Spain of making “deliberate efforts” to facilitate irregular migration.
