Hundreds of migrants swim from Morocco to Spanish enclave of Ceuta
A massive influx of migrants crossing into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta has overwhelmed local resources, prompting warnings of a humanitarian and security emergency.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Hundreds of migrants crossed into Spain's Ceuta from Morocco over the past week.
- Local leader warns that reception centres and resources are severely overwhelmed.
- The surge draws strong parallels to a major mass crossing event in May 2021.
Hundreds of migrants have made their way into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco over the course of the past week, according to the territory's leader.
Juan Jesús Vivas stated that the ongoing influx is placing an unsustainable strain on local resources and urged the Spanish central government to intervene immediately. Spain's Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska is widely expected to visit the territory on Friday, according to reporting by news agency Reuters.
Footage captured on Thursday showed migrants actively swimming, utilizing inflatable rings, and deploying other flotation devices to reach Ceuta, while other individuals rushed directly through a gate located in the border fence.
Ceuta, positioned on the northern coast of Morocco, is separated from mainland Spain by the Strait of Gibraltar and has historically served as a critical focal point for migrants attempting journeys into Europe. Reports concerning the actual scale of the recent crossing vary considerably, with figures fluctuating from hundreds to thousands of individuals.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Spanish media outlets estimated that between 2,000 and 3,000 people entered Ceuta on Thursday, as reported by Reuters, though they noted that the Guardia Civil had not yet officially confirmed the figure.
Spain's enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa constitute the European Union's sole land borders with the African continent, making them frequent hotspots for migration pressures. This current wave of arrivals has inevitably drawn comparisons to the events of May 2021, when approximately 8,000 people entered Ceuta over the span of a few days, significantly exacerbating diplomatic friction between Spain and Morocco.
Vivas additionally reported to RTVE that the bodies of 60 people had been recovered from the sea over recent months. He further warned that the territory faces an acute humanitarian and security emergency, highlighting that reception centres designated for unaccompanied minors are currently operating at several times their intended capacity.
Source: BBC World
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