Ceuta, Spain – After a significant breach where 50,000 to 60,000 migrants crossed into the Spanish territory of Ceuta from Morocco, Spain announced new security measures. A 500-meter-long barrier on the sea border is being installed.
The tragic events led to 67 deaths, as some drowned while others were fatally injured during a stampede. Sky News reported that the death toll reached 86.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez criticized the negative reactions from some European Union leaders. Calls to suspend Spain from the EU’s Schengen zone were attributed to prejudice and misinformation. Exhausted migrants who reached Ceuta’s Tarajal beach were promptly returned to Morocco by soldiers.
Spain’s Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, reiterated strict enforcement against illegal crossings. He defended Morocco, stating their partnership helped address the situation efficiently within 24 hours.
A letter from 22 EU countries emphasized the need for a coordinated EU response. The letter, stemming from concerns over uncontrolled crossings, highlighted potential risks to EU migration policy. The leaders requested an urgent videoconference of EU interior ministers.
Sánchez addressed concerns from EU nations, some of which proposed Spain’s exclusion from Schengen. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni threatened reinstating border controls for those traveling from Spain.
In Ceuta, some migrants, despite hardships, chose to return to Morocco, citing poor treatment. Interviewed migrants described conditions in Ceuta as harsh and degrading. Migrants faced challenges accessing food and shelter.
Moroccan police observed as migrants re-entered Morocco through informal routes. Migrants included Moroccans and individuals from sub-Saharan Africa. The road to the border showed signs of previous unrest, including burned vehicles.
Ceuta’s President Juan Jesús Vivas noted progress with the return process, but acknowledged city disruptions. In Tangier, Morocco, many migrants rested at the railway station after returning from Ceuta.
Despite these challenges, some migrants, like Mohamed Hatri, vowed to remain in Ceuta, battling hunger and restricted access to essentials.
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