On Friday, Spain’s Interior Ministry reported that approximately 49,000 migrants entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from North Africa within the last 24 hours, arriving in waves by both sea and land from Morocco, according to Reuters.
“Thousands” crossed the border between Morocco and Ceuta during the night from Thursday to Friday, a police source told AFP, noting that counting the total number had proven impossible.
There was a steady influx of individuals throughout the night; although arrivals decreased during daylight, migrants continued to arrive into Friday morning.
Tragically, 18 individuals lost their lives attempting to reach the Spanish enclave.
Members of the Civil Guard guarding the border with Morocco expressed their frustration to ABC.es, stating, “We can do nothing,” as they were overwhelmed by a surge of young migrants.
“The situation is like that of a third world country. We are overwhelmed,” lamented one guard in Ceuta, feeling abandoned by the Spanish Interior Ministry.
Social media footage depicted waves of people entering the enclave.
Measures Fail to Address the Influx
Ceuta, along with Melilla, another Spanish autonomous city located in northern Morocco, represents the only land border of the European Union with Africa. Both cities routinely face surges of migrants attempting to cross into Europe.
In response to this latest influx, Spain has deployed military and police reinforcements to Ceuta.
Despite the border point appearing congested, groups of migrants sought alternative routes along the coast, with some attempting to swim across.
Brahim, a 32-year-old, stated, “I was delayed.” He explained that he arrived from Tangier hoping to enter Ceuta through the border point, but found it closed.
Moroccan authorities mobilized trucks with water cannons and reinforced security at the border gates, repeatedly repelling migrants attempting to approach.
Nearby, witnesses reported the charred remains of a bus and seven vehicles left in the aftermath of clashes as authorities sought to disperse crowds.
The Spanish government stands out in Europe for its pro-migrant stance, having recently launched a program aimed at granting legal status to around 500,000 undocumented migrants, which has resulted in a surge of applications double this figure.
