Spain says Ceuta migrant surge largely reversed as most return to Morocco

Spain claims that the recent influx of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta has largely subsided, with the majority of those who had crossed the border returning to Morocco. According to the Spanish Interior Ministry, approximately 50,000 individuals had managed to enter Ceuta since early Thursday, but by Friday evening, more than 48,000 had voluntarily returned to Moroccan soil. Local officials estimate that as many as 60,000 people attempted to cross the border, with reports indicating that 34 individuals lost their lives during the ordeal. Earlier figures suggested 19 bodies had been recovered from the water, highlighting the tragic toll of the crisis. The situation escalated rapidly as large crowds gathered at the border, prompting Moroccan security forces to deploy batons and tear gas to manage the chaos. On the Spanish side, military vehicles were stationed along parts of the border, while migrants observed from a nearby hilltop in Morocco, unable to proceed further. Reuters journalists witnessed Moroccan police in riot gear dispersing crowds using tear gas, alongside water cannons being deployed. Evidence of the intense confrontations included the charred remains of a bus and several cars scattered near the border. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited Ceuta on Friday, where he faced protests and verbal abuse from demonstrators. He condemned the mass crossing as a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity and emphasized efforts to expedite the repatriation of those who had entered illegally, with full collaboration from Moroccan authorities. The incident has sparked divisions within Europe, with leaders from other EU member states urging Spain to contain the situation. Right-wing politicians across the continent criticized Spain’s migration policies, particularly an amnesty granted to hundreds of thousands of unauthorized migrants this year. France announced plans to increase border checks with Spain, while Italy threatened to suspend Spain from the EU’s internal open-border agreement known as the Schengen Zone. In response to these developments, Spain’s Foreign Minister José Luis Albares accused Italy of exploiting migration issues for political purposes, emphasizing the expectation of European solidarity rather than partisanship. Meanwhile, the Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, expressed concerns over Spain’s decision to grant citizenship to over half a million undocumented immigrants, arguing that such actions encourage human trafficking and pose risks to national security. Ceuta and its sister city, Melilla, serve as the EU’s sole land borders with Africa, frequently experiencing surges in migration attempts. The recent influx appears to be unprecedented in both scale and intensity. Factors contributing to the surge include a recent Supreme Court ruling allowing migrants intercepted at sea to remain in Spain instead of being immediately returned. This legal shift may have emboldened more individuals to attempt the journey, knowing they might not be swiftly deported upon arrival. The Spanish government has taken steps to bolster security in Ceuta, announcing the deployment of additional military personnel and police to reinforce existing measures. The Civil Guard’s presence is set to nearly double, with the addition of diving teams and coastguard vessels aimed at managing the complex challenges posed by the influx. Despite these efforts, the situation remains fluid, with ongoing tensions between Spain and Morocco over the management of migration flows and the recognition of Spanish sovereignty in Ceuta. As the crisis unfolds, the international community continues to watch closely, awaiting further developments and potential policy responses from both sides.