Morocco Stops Hundreds of Migrants Seeking to Enter Spanish Enclave of Ceuta

A new attempt by hundreds of migrants to cross irregularly into Ceuta has been thwarted by Moroccan authorities. Most of them were from sub-Saharan Africa.

The EFE news agency reported that the migrants had taken shelter in a mountainous area near the city of Fnideq, southwest of the Spanish enclave. They began moving toward the border at around 6 a.m.

Morocco has stepped up checks on the main routes leading to Fnideq. At the same time, Spain has significantly strengthened security measures along Ceuta’s border, where the situation is currently described as calm.

The security presence has also been increased in Melilla, Spain’s other enclave in North Africa, amid fears that migratory pressure could shift to that area. Authorities have observed a large number of migrants moving toward Beni Enzar.

The attempt reported by the Moroccan authorities has not yet been officially confirmed by the government or the media in Spain. Meanwhile, just a few days ago, police and forensic specialists in Ceuta said they had mobilized additional personnel to identify the bodies of 80 migrants who were found following the mass influx at the end of July.

According to the authorities, most of the victims are expected to be buried in Ceuta in the coming days. So far, only four bodies have been identified by comparing fingerprints with Spanish databases or through DNA analysis.