The Spanish territory of Ceuta, located in North Africa, is facing an extraordinary influx of migrants, as more than 1,500 people have managed to enter over the past seven days, by swimming or crossing along the border breakwater that separates the enclave from Morocco. Spanish authorities have described the situation as an unprecedented humanitarian emergency.
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Over the past 24 hours, rescue teams have pulled the lifeless bodies of 18 migrants from the water, while others remain missing. The city’s president, Juan Jesús Vivas, reported that around 2,000 migrants have entered Ceuta’s territory in the last ten days and called on the central government for immediate intervention.
Spain increases border control measures
In response to the situation, Madrid has ordered the deployment of additional military forces to assist the Civil Guard in monitoring the dividing line. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized that the executive is committed to taking urgent steps to restore order in the area.
Spain’s Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, will travel to Ceuta to personally oversee the emergency measures and to increase coordination with Moroccan authorities, with the aim of managing migratory flows and speeding up return procedures to the country of origin.
Meloni: We may suspend Schengen implementation
The events in Ceuta have also sparked strong reactions in Italy. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that her government is assessing the possibility of a temporary suspension of the Schengen Treaty with regard to Spain, arguing that irregular immigration poses a serious risk to the security of European borders.
“These images reconfirm that uncontrolled immigration is a major challenge for our continent. Italy is determined to use all necessary instruments to protect its borders and citizens,” she said.
Following these statements, Spain’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Italian ambassador in Madrid, requesting an official interpretation of Rome’s positions.
Disputes between Spain and Morocco
Spanish police union organizations have leveled strong accusations against Rabat, claiming that it is not making sufficient efforts to prevent illegal crossings into Ceuta. For its part, Morocco has categorically rejected these claims, attributing responsibility to criminal networks engaged in human trafficking and stressing that cooperation with Spanish authorities remains strong.
According to data from Spanish authorities, traffickers are also taking advantage of a recent decision by Spain’s Supreme Court, which has imposed restrictions on the practice of immediate deportations of migrants at border points, thus encouraging an increase in entry attempts.
A critical point of the continent
The city of Ceuta, together with Melilla, constitutes the only physical border between the European Union and the African continent. Due to this strategic position, this Spanish territory on the northern coast of Africa has for years been a prime destination for irregular immigration flows towards Europe.
