The death toll from the recent border crisis between Spain and Morocco has climbed to 67 as tens of thousands of migrants surged into the small enclave of Ceuta in North Africa.
During the chaotic events, some individuals lost their lives in drownings or a fatal stampede. In response, Spain announced the installation of a 500-meter barrier on the sea border separating its territory from Morocco after approximately 60,000 migrants breached the border earlier in the week.
Last month, Spain’s Supreme Court ruled that migrants arriving by sea in Ceuta could not be immediately deported. A few exhausted migrants who swam to Ceuta’s urban Tarajal beach on Saturday were returned across the border by soldiers.
The Spanish interior ministry reported that the majority of those who entered Ceuta have already gone back to Morocco, stating that 53,000 out of the 60,000 migrants who crossed have returned. In Ceuta, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska declared a strong stance against lawbreakers, saying, “We are relentless against those who break the law.”
Addressing concerns about the breach of the border and the potential threat posed by Morocco, Marlaska defended the government in Rabat, emphasizing the need for an assessment by both Spain and Morocco.
Marlaska credited the cooperation with Morocco for swiftly resolving the situation, stating that Morocco is a reliable partner and not a threat to Ceuta or Spain. Despite days of turmoil and overcrowded streets in Ceuta, residents woke up to a tense calm on Saturday. However, security in the city of 84,000 residents remained heightened.
Ceuta’s President Juan Jesus Vivas remarked on the disruption caused by the border incident and emphasized the need to complete the process of returning people satisfactorily.
In Tangier, approximately 46 miles west of Ceuta, the main railway station was bustling with people returning from Ceuta or the border. Some exhausted individuals, like aspiring migrant Abdalah, shared their failed attempts to cross into Ceuta due to lack of resources.
On the road leading to the Moroccan town of Fnideq, bordering Ceuta, numerous migrants were observed heading towards the fence, with some walking barefoot in hopes of trying their luck. Taxi drivers and bus operators refrained from transporting them, fearing repercussions from authorities, while police officers monitored and checked vehicles heading towards Fnideq.
Despite challenges, some migrants, including 23-year-old Mohamed Hatri from Morocco, expressed determination to remain in Ceuta despite restrictions on access to essential supplies. Hatri stressed their resolve to stay, even in the face of hunger and adversity.