Spain Deploys Army to Ceuta: At Least 18 Migrants Reported Dead
The tiny enclave of Ceuta in North Africa, one of the European Union's only two land borders with Africa, is facing a sharp surge in migration. Over 20,000 people have crossed the border, with reports indicating that some have lost their lives during the journey.
The tiny enclave of Ceuta in North Africa, one of the European Union's only two land borders with Africa, is facing a sharp surge in migration. Over 20,000 people have crossed the border, with reports indicating that some have lost their lives during the journey.
While the land border is protected by a 10-meter security fence and heavily guarded by Spanish and Moroccan police, those arriving by sea are now protected following a new court ruling stating that migrants cannot be immediately returned under a special "border rejection regime."
The Spanish government recently enacted an amnesty for illegal migrants, under which at least 1.3 million applied for residency status. Following this, most migrants from the current influx are being transferred to the Spanish mainland, where their cases are processed, potentially granting them access to protected areas if they are not deported.
- Between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, more than 100 Moroccan minors and hundreds of adults swam to Ceuta. Some were rescued by Civil Guard officers, while others reached the shore and were escorted to temporary accommodation. Three bodies were recovered by Spanish security forces within 24 hours leading up to Thursday morning, with various reports claiming the death toll has already reached 18.
About 700 Moroccan minors are currently under the care of the Ceuta government, 20 times its official capacity, while the center for adults is hosting far beyond its official quota of 512 residents, with hundreds maintaining a makeshift camp outside its gates.
The governor of the Spanish region noted that the situation could become as chaotic as the crisis of May 2021, when Morocco responded to diplomatic tensions with Spain by allowing at least 5,000 of its citizens to swim or paddle into Ceuta.
In Italy, officials watching the difficult scenes from Spain and the massive influx of migrants into Europe have demanded the closure of the EU's common border system (Schengen Area) — despite the fact that Italy and Spain do not share a land border. Between EU countries, there is no physical border, and passage is conducted freely without passport checks.
