Tens of thousands of migrants breached border barriers or swam into the Spanish autonomous city of Ceuta on Thursday (30 July), prompting Madrid to send troops to its North African enclave to bolster security and neighbouring EU countries, such as France, to increase border checks.
Arrivals from Morocco, just over the border, were estimated to be at least 40,000 in a few days, but a continuous flow has made it hard to keep a consistent count. The immigrants are almost entirely of Moroccan nationality, most of whom are young people.
At least 34 died while trying to reach Ceuta according to local authorities, with deaths attributed to drownings and a stampede near the breakwater fence.
Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez on Friday talked about “an attack and a violation” on Spain’s territorial integrity and said that procedures to return irregular migrants have started.
“The images coming from Ceuta are unacceptable … Dangerous crossings must stop immediately. Smuggling networks must be dismantled. And returns must be swift, as our rules allow,” also said EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
