The head of the local authority in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in northern Morocco said that 60,000 migrants have crossed the border in recent days, noting that this number is close to three-quarters of the local population.
“Estimates show that around 60,000 people entered our city during this period. That represents 70 percent of Ceuta’s population,” Juan Vivas said during a press conference. He added, “To give you an idea of what this is like… imagine 34 million people entering Spain in 24 hours. Clearly, this number demonstrates the impossibility of handling this pressure.”
Vivas noted that the number of deaths caused by migrants crossing to Ceuta had risen to 34. He said: “I would like to express, in all sincerity, on behalf of all of us, our deep sorrow and pain for the victims.”
Violation of Spanish sovereignty
Commenting on the events, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told reporters on Friday that the mass crossing of tens of thousands of people from Morocco into the enclave of Ceuta represents a “violation of Spanish territorial sovereignty.”
He added that the influx of migrants is linked to a misleading interpretation promoted by human trafficking “mafias” of a recent court ruling regarding the return of migrants who arrived by sea.
Sanchez said: “Our discussions with the Moroccan authorities have revealed that human trafficking mafias have promoted an interpretation that serves their own interests of a ruling issued by the Spanish Supreme Court,” explaining that the interpretation of the ruling, which states that “individuals who arrived in Spain by sea cannot be returned to the border… has spread with tremendous speed in recent hours.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visits Ceuta following the migrant crisis.
Spain sent military and police reinforcements to Ceuta following this wave, while Moroccan police arrested about thirty young men this morning in the city of Fnideq in the north of the kingdom, following clashes near the border with Ceuta.
The Spanish government announced it would deploy army troops to reinforce security in Ceuta. The Interior Ministry explained in a statement that “the armed forces will support the Civil Guard (Spanish gendarmerie) in carrying out its duties and those that may be necessary to maintain security in the city of Ceuta.”
Calls to confront immigrants
In this context, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on Morocco to "immediately return irregular migrants." He added, "Spain wants, and indeed must, bring the situation in Ceuta under control as quickly as possible. Therefore, I welcome Spain's intention to prevent irregular migrants from entering mainland Europe."
He pledged to take a firm stance on irregular migration, an issue that has helped boost support for the far-right Alternative for Germany party.
Mertz added: “Protecting the EU’s external borders is crucial to combating illegal immigration. I clearly expect all EU member states to fulfill this obligation.”
For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron has asked Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez to "strengthen border checks with Spain" in light of the migrant influx crisis into Ceuta, according to sources close to the president on Friday.
Sources quoted Macron as saying that “France is fully prepared to provide all necessary support to the Spanish authorities if they express a need for it, including through Frontex,” the European Union agency responsible for border control.
Nunez had previously announced that France would tighten controls on its border with Spain.
The minister wrote on the X platform: “In light of the situation observed in the Ceuta enclave, I issued instructions yesterday evening (Thursday) to strengthen inspections on the Spanish border without delay,” noting the activation of the border rapid intervention force to carry out “in-depth inspections.”
Nunez confirmed that he is in contact with his Spanish counterpart, Fernando Grande-Marlaska.
He told RTL radio: “We are conducting inspections on the French-Spanish border; they are in place and have been strengthened in recent months.”
He added: “We have a mobile force permanently deployed. We will, of course, take the necessary measures if there are movements towards French territory.”
He continued: “In any case, we will certainly strengthen border inspections.”
The European Union also announced that it is closely monitoring developments in the city of Ceuta, confirming its readiness to provide additional financial support, along with technical and operational support to Spain.
A spokesperson for the European Commission said they were aware of the recent developments in Ceuta and were monitoring the situation closely.
He stressed the importance of combating irregular migration, maintaining the integrity of the EU's external borders, and preventing the misuse of the EU's legal framework.
The spokesperson noted that the European Commission provides financial and operational support to Spain, including in Ceuta, adding: “We are also ready to provide additional financial, technical and operational support, including through the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex).”
He explained that the European Union Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, is in contact with the Spanish Interior Minister.
The spokesperson affirmed the European Union’s welcome of the close cooperation between Morocco and Spain to ensure the swift return, in accordance with applicable rules, of people who entered Ceuta illegally, and to address migration flows, noting that Morocco is “an important and reliable partner.”
He added: “We are in close contact with the Moroccan authorities to ensure that all necessary measures are taken to end these dangerous journeys immediately.”
Although the border crossing appeared to be closed, groups of migrants continued to move along the coast looking for ways to circumvent the fence, while some prepared to swim across.
“I was late,” said Ibrahim, 32, who gave only his first name. He added that he had arrived from Tangier hoping to cross through the gate, but found it closed.
The crowds hoping to enter Ceuta also included women and children from Morocco and sub-Saharan African countries.
Moroccan authorities deployed trucks equipped with water cannons, reinforced security measures at crossing points, and repeatedly turned back migrants who tried to approach.
Witnesses said the charred remains of a bus and seven other vehicles were nearby, left behind by clashes that broke out as authorities tried to stop the crowds.
Another migrant said he was caught in a stampede while trying to cross.
“I feared for my life,” said the migrant, who declined to give his name, describing chaotic scenes in which people were pushing and shoving each other along a narrow coastal road.
The large number of migrants seeking to cross, including minors, caused traffic jams on the roads leading to Fnideq as they continued to arrive. Some walked along the highway into the city late into the night, while others took mountain paths to avoid checkpoints.
Security forces repeatedly turned back people who tried to rush in an organized manner towards the crossing during the night, while migrants regrouped on roads, hills and open spaces throughout the city.
Early on Friday, Fatima Al-Mahli, 23, sat with her two daughters on a patch of grass next to the road leading to the crossing.
The woman, who lives in the northern Moroccan city of Tetouan, said her husband left before dawn in an attempt to swim to Ceuta.She said: “I thought I could cross the border on foot. But we are stuck here and unable to return home.”
She added: “I had hoped we would cross as a family, but my husband woke up early and went swimming first.”
Opposition leader Alberto Nunez Viejo of the conservative People's Party described the situation as "hopeless" and accused Sanchez's government of inaction.
“The government cannot turn a blind eye to its obligations because we are facing a national security crisis,” Figo said.
Tags:
europe
