At least 57 migrants died during a mass crossing of the border of Spanish Ceuta
Kyiv • UNN
At least 57 people died trying to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, after about 50,000 migrants entered this territory from Morocco.
At least 57 people died trying to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta after about 50,000 migrants entered the territory from Morocco. This is reported by UNN citing The Guardian.
Most of them drowned or died in the crush near the coastal fences.
Meanwhile, thousands of people, including unaccompanied children, ended up on the streets and were forced to sleep in parks and on sidewalks.
The massive influx of migrants, which occurred in just 24 hours, overwhelmed a city of 85,000 people, triggered a political crisis in Madrid, and drew mixed reactions from other EU countries, including calls to suspend Spain's participation in the Schengen area of free movement.
Context
The Spanish enclave of Ceuta on the North African coast found itself at the center of a major crisis: within just 24 hours, between 50,000 and 60,000 migrants crossed the border from Morocco. This caused real chaos in a city of 85,000 people.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the events a "violation of territorial integrity" and stated that the situation was exploited by criminal mafias involved in human trafficking. The trigger for the mass crossing was a recent ruling by Spain's Supreme Court that banned the simplified expulsion of migrants detained at sea near Ceuta and Melilla.
In response, Spanish authorities sent additional police and military forces to the enclave, decided to install a barrier line of buoys at sea to mark the border, and set up a temporary center for the accelerated deportation of individuals without the right to asylum. According to Spain's Interior Ministry, over 48,000 people have already voluntarily returned to Morocco.
The situation also intensified political confrontation within the country. The opposition People's Party called the government's actions insufficient, stating that Ceuta resembles an occupied city, while the far-right Vox party directly described what happened as an "invasion."
The events in Ceuta sparked a wave of controversy among EU countries. Italy accused the Sánchez government of stimulating illegal migration through previous legalization programs and announced a temporary suspension of the Schengen agreements regarding Spain.
Finland and Sweden sharply criticized Spain for its failure to protect the EU's external border, with Finland supporting Italy's initiative.
France expressed support for Madrid but preemptively strengthened controls on its own border with Spain using drones and special units.
The European Commission and EU leadership expressed solidarity with Spain and reminded that Ceuta and Melilla have a special Schengen status that prevents further movement of migrants deeper into Europe.