Spain deploys military to Ceuta after migrant surge: What we know
At least 34 people reported killed trying to cross into the Spanish enclave bordering Morocco. Spain has deployed the military and police to its North
At least 34 people reported killed trying to cross into the Spanish enclave bordering Morocco. Spain has deployed the military and police to its North African enclave of Ceuta after at least 34 people died trying to cross into the Spanish territory from Morocco by land and sea, according to the enclave’s president. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Friday visited the enclave, where he met security officials and regional authorities. He said about 60,000 people had entered Ceuta over the past few days – which is more than half the enclave’s population. The surge has triggered political tensions across Europe with France announcing tighter checks at its border and Spain and Italy threatening new measures to curb migration, including calls by senior politicians to suspend Spain from the Schengen free-travel area. Here’s what we know What happened? Thousands of people crossed into Ceuta on Thursday and continued arriving overnight into Friday, travelling by sea and over land. Among the 34 people reported killed, many drowned while attempting the sea crossing while others died in a crush at the breakwater fence near Tarajal beach, according to authorities. Spanish authorities reinforced the enclave with military personnel and additional police while Morocco deployed security forces and water cannon to push back crowds approaching the border. Footage from the Reuters news agency showed large groups of people, mostly young Moroccan men but also families with women and children, moving around the breakwaters and onto roads inside Ceuta. The remains of a burned bus and seven cars were visible near the border after clashes between security forces and crowds. Although the main border crossing appeared blocked, groups of migrants continued moving along the coastline, searching for alternative routes, and some prepared to swim around the barriers.
Security forces repeatedly pushed back attempts to breach the crossing overnight, but Reuters footage filmed shortly after 11:30am (09:30 GMT) on Friday showed migrants continuing to enter through the Tarajal beach area despite the reinforced security presence. Where is Ceuta, and why is it significant? Ceuta is an autonomous Spanish city on the north coast of Africa bordering Morocco. Along with Melilla, another autonomous Spanish city on the North African coast, it is one of only two land borders between the European Union and Africa. The territory first came under Portuguese rule in 1415 before becoming part of Spain in 1580. It remained under Spanish sovereignty after Portugal regained independence in 1640. After the decolonisation of Africa, Ceuta and Melilla remained the only European-held territories on the African mainland. Although geographically in Africa, Ceuta is Spanish territory and forms part of the EU’s external border. Its location has made it one of the main entry points for migrants and asylum seekers trying to reach Europe. The enclave is protected by high border fences, surveillance systems and a permanent deployment of Spain’s Civil Guard and Police. Migrants sometimes try to reach Ceuta by swimming from the Moroccan town of Fnideq, a journey of about 5km (3 miles), while others cross from nearby Belyounech, where the distance is shorter. Ceuta authorities have linked the latest surge to a Spanish Supreme Court ruling this month that barred authorities from immediately returning migrants who have been intercepted after arriving by sea without due process. The ruling does not apply to people entering by land, including those climbing the border fence. Some migrant rights activists in Morocco, however, questioned that explanation, saying most migrants would have been unaware of the court ruling. What has Sanchez said?
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