- Thousands of Moroccan migrants crossed into Ceuta on Thursday, overwhelming local authorities and prompting calls for a state of emergency.
- Ceuta authorities linked the recent spike in migrant crossings to a Spanish Supreme Court decision that migrants arriving by sea cannot be immediately pushed back without due process.
- Over 1,500 migrants entered Ceuta in the past week, leading to local leaders requesting military support to manage the crisis.
- Spain's government announced it would deploy the Armed Forces to assist the Civil Guard in maintaining security in Ceuta.
- Local authorities in Ceuta have described the situation as 'absolute chaos,' with reports of thousands of migrants crossing the border.
- At least three people died attempting to reach Ceuta by sea during this crisis.
- Juan Jesús Vivas, the head of Ceuta’s regional government, has called for a national emergency declaration to address the migrant crisis.
Thousands of Moroccan migrants crossed into Ceuta on Thursday, overwhelming local authorities and prompting Spain to deploy military forces to restore order. The influx has led to chaos, with Rachid Sbihi, head of the Civil Guard officers in Ceuta, stating, “The situation is absolute chaos.”126
Local leaders have reported at least three fatalities among those attempting to reach Ceuta by sea, highlighting the dangers of the crossing. In response, Juan Jesús Vivas, head of Ceuta’s regional government, has called for a national emergency to ensure security and requested additional police and military presence at the border.8
The crisis has escalated tensions, with videos circulating on social media showing the overwhelming number of migrants, which has outraged right-wing politicians and activists. Spain’s Interior Ministry has stated that the Moroccan government is “closely cooperating” to manage the situation, with Moroccan police reportedly stopping numerous individuals attempting to cross.
Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s Prime Minister, assured the public of the government’s commitment to addressing the crisis, stating they are “mobilizing all necessary resources” and collaborating with Moroccan and international authorities. The opposition has criticized the government’s handling of the situation, with Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the conservative People’s Party, describing it as a “national security crisis.”
This incident echoes a similar surge in May 2021, when over 8,000 migrants entered Ceuta in just two days, raising concerns about border security and humanitarian responses.
“Local authorities in Ceuta have requested military assistance as the situation escalates, with reports of at least three deaths during attempts to reach the enclave by sea. Spain's Interior Ministry stated that Moroccan police are cooperating to manage the crisis, aiming to return those who entered illegally.”
Global News
Forbes
