Situation in Ceuta Stabilizes After Migration Crisis
Nearly all of the 60,000 migrants who illegally entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta have returned to Morocco, Spanish authorities reported.
“The situation has practically changed completely,” said Spain's Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska.
Under the watch of Spanish military and police, the last young migrants continued to cross back into Morocco.
To reach Ceuta, many swam around a small border barrier extending into the Mediterranean Sea.
According to Grande-Marlaska, at least 67 people died while attempting to cross the border: some drowned, while others were crushed in the crowd.
A small group of exhausted migrants who swam to Tarajal beach in Ceuta were met by military personnel and escorted back.
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“These events require assessment from both Spain and Morocco,” added Grande-Marlaska. He emphasized that cooperation with neighbors helped “turn the situation around in 24 hours.”
Spain announced plans to establish a 500-meter barrier at the maritime border between Ceuta and Morocco.
Ceuta and Melilla form the only land borders between Europe and Africa. The enclave is located about 25 kilometers from mainland Spain.
The reason for the influx remains unclear, but just days before it began, social media was filled with posts urging Moroccans to attempt to reach Ceuta, said Myriam Cheriti from the University of Oxford.
These messages provided practical information on how to cross the border and what to say to increase the chances of being allowed to stay.
According to Cheriti, some migrants she spoke with could no longer recall how many times they had tried to cross the border.
“They do this out of desperation because they feel obligated to help their families,” she explained.
42-year-old Soufiane was one of those who attempted to cross the border. He shared that his motivation was to visit his sick mother living in Madrid.
“Even if there is no food, I will endure anything just to see my mother,” said Soufiane.
Previously, spikes in migration occurred amid tensions between Spain and Morocco.
