The death toll from the border crisis between Spain and Morocco has now reached 67 as tens of thousands of migrants entered the small enclave of Ceuta in North Africa. Amid the unfolding chaos, some individuals perished in drownings or a fatal stampede. In response to the situation, Spain announced the installation of a 500-meter containment barrier along the sea border separating its territory from Morocco following the influx of approximately 60,000 migrants earlier in the week.
Last month, Spain’s Supreme Court ruled that migrants arriving by sea in Ceuta could not be immediately deported. Despite heavy security measures on both sides of the border, a few exhausted migrants who swam to Ceuta’s urban Tarajal beach were returned to Morocco by soldiers. Spain’s interior ministry reported that the majority of the migrants who entered Ceuta have already voluntarily returned to Morocco, with around 53,000 out of the 60,000 having left.
In Ceuta, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska emphasized the government’s strong stance against those violating the law. When questioned about the breach of the border and the potential threat posed by Morocco to Ceuta, Marlaska defended the cooperation between Spain and Morocco, stressing the need for a joint evaluation of the events.
After days of turmoil and overcrowded streets in Ceuta, residents woke up to a tense calm on Saturday. While the return process of migrants has begun, Ceuta’s President Juan Jesus Vivas acknowledged the disruption caused by the border incident and highlighted the importance of completing the repatriation process. In the Moroccan city of Tangier, people returning from Ceuta or the border experienced exhaustion and challenges, with some expressing their failed attempts to cross into Ceuta due to lack of sustenance.
On the route to the Moroccan town near Ceuta, migrants were observed heading towards the fence, hopeful despite the challenges. While some migrants expressed determination to stay in Ceuta, citing limited access to essentials, others faced difficulties in transportation due to concerns of repercussions from authorities. Amid the ongoing situation, the resolve of individuals like 23-year-old Moroccan Mohamed Hatri to remain in Ceuta despite hardships was evident, reflecting a strong determination to persevere.
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