MADRID – In a tragic turn of events, at least 18 migrants have lost their lives attempting to reach Ceuta, a Spanish exclave, as Spain’s military was mobilized in response to a surge of border crossings from Morocco into the small Spanish region.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of Spain, alongside Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, plans to visit Ceuta on Friday morning amid the ongoing crisis.
Rachid Sbihi, who heads a group representing Civil Guard officers, characterized the unfolding events as a “serious humanitarian crisis.”
“Despite the reinforcements that have come in, people continue to enter. These additional forces are concentrated on aiding the injured and handling humanitarian needs,” he noted.
Many migrants, including minors traveling alone, are left without shelter, resorting to sleeping in parks and on sidewalks, or wandering the streets with no direction. “It’s utter chaos,” Sbihi added.
Among the 18 who died, many drowned but some were also killed in the stampede to cross the breakwater fence at Tarajal beach, Sbihi said.
Video footage on Thursday showed crowds of people, mainly Moroccans, walking around the breakwaters at Tarajal beach onto local roads. While most appeared to be young men, there were also families with women and small children.
“Viva España!” some shouted to a freelance photographer working for the AP, who late Thursday into Friday saw people amassed on the Moroccan side of the border trying to cross into Ceuta but also people walking from Ceuta toward Morocco trying to return.
It was not immediately clear what prompted so many migrants to cross to Ceuta.
Moroccan authorities have not publicly commented on the crossings, and Morocco’s Interior Ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
Arrivals had been increasing, but reasons are still unclear
The escalation at the frontier between Spain and Morocco comes after a surge in migrants attempting to reach the small exclave, mainly by swimming, on Wednesday.
The chaos had ripple effects in Italy, another key destination for migrants. Premier Giorgia Meloni threatened to suspend Italy’s open-border Schengen agreement with Spain “to defend our borders and ensure the safety of our citizens,” though Italy doesn’t share a border with Spain.
Ceuta authorities had previously linked the surge to a Spanish Supreme Court ruling earlier this month that barred authorities from immediately returning migrants who arrive by sea without due process. The ruling does not apply to migrants who enter Spain by land, including by climbing over the border fence.
But some activists in Morocco expressed doubt that the ruling was behind the surge, arguing most migrants would have been unaware of such legal decisions.
Spain is a main point of arrival into Europe for migrants seeking better economic opportunities or an escape from violence in their home countries.
To reach Ceuta, located on the northern African coast, migrants often swim from the Moroccan town of Fnideq, covering about 3 miles (5 kilometers) to reach Spanish territory. Others attempt the crossing from the nearby town of Belyounech, where the distance is shorter.
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Naishadham reported from Madrid.
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