Spain Morocco Border | Spain's Ceuta Wakes Up To Chaos As Thousands Of Migrants Collapse Border
At least 18 migrants died trying to reach the Spanish territory of Ceuta after thousands of people breached the frontier with Morocco and poured into
At least 18 migrants died trying to reach the Spanish territory of Ceuta after thousands of people breached the frontier with Morocco and poured into the tiny Spanish territory. The border crisis boiled over Thursday and overnight. The leader of a local workers association representing Civil Guard officers called the situation a serious humanitarian crisis, saying thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied children, were left sleeping in parks and sidewalks, while others roamed the streets aimlessly. kraa Khai, a Moroccan agricultural worker, working in Huelva, Spain, arrived at the beach and said she was searching for her sister's son. "I don't know if he is dead or alive. I have his residency card. But I don't now where he is, I'm searching." Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is expected to join Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska in a visit to Ceuta on Friday morning.
Among the 18 who died, many drowned, the leader of association representing Civil Guard officers said, but some were also killed in a stampede to cross the breakwater fence at Tarajal beach, an urban beach near a border checkpoint with Morocco. Video footage on Thursday showed throngs of people, mainly Moroccans, walking around the breakwaters onto local roads. While most appeared to be young men, there were also families with women and small children. Late Thursday into Friday, the photographer saw people massed on the Moroccan side of the border trying to cross into Ceuta but also people walking from Ceuta toward Morocco, trying to return. Moroccan authorities have not publicly commented on the crossings, and Morocco’s Interior Ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
It was not immediately clear what prompted so many people to cross to Ceuta. Spain is a main point of arrival into Europe for migrants seeking better economic opportunities or an escape from violence in their home countries. To reach Ceuta, located on the northern African coast, migrants often swim from the Moroccan town of Fnideq, covering about 3 miles (5 kilometers) to reach Spanish territory. About NDTV (English news channel) NDTV is India's Most-Trusted News Broadcaster with the latest updates in news, sports, entertainment and much more from within India and around the world. Watch big political debates, exclusive entertainment interviews, news bulletins, current affairs, talk shows and tech reviews with our 24x7 news live streams, packed with credible information across all platforms: TV, Internet and Mobile.
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