Hundreds Of Moroccan Migrants Are Swimming Into The Spanish Enclave Of Ceuta

Hundreds of migrants braved the perilous waters, undertaking a treacherous journey from neighboring Morocco to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta over the course of Sunday and early Monday. 

Reports from local authorities highlighted how the migrants strategically utilized a dense mist as cover, enabling them to make the challenging swim undetected. 

The sheer determination displayed by these individuals underscores the desperate circumstances that drive them to embark on such risky endeavors in search of a better life.

“There was pressure and we handled it with Morocco,”

Spain’s Ceuta and Melilla enclaves, two territories that are located on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast and are notable for sharing the European Union’s land borders with Africa, have become the focal point for waves of migrants attempting to cross the border. 

In the last 24 hours, a significant number of migrants have arrived, some even reaching the vicinity of El Tarajal beach.

A spokesperson said “There was pressure and we handled it with Morocco,” but declined to disclose a precise number of those who attempted to cross or were deported to Morocco.

Police have intercepted an average of around 700 migrants

The Spanish government’s representative in Ceuta reported that since Thursday, around 700 migrants have attempted to enter the city daily, with up to 1,500 attempts made on Sunday night, with the mist lifting by Monday morning.

Moroccan nationals detained during crossings are sent back to Morocco unless underage or seeking asylum. Other nationalities are taken to special centers for shelter and released after a few days. An unknown number of people have managed to sneak into the enclave without police detention.

Two years ago, in a tragic event, a group of more than 2,000 migrants made a desperate attempt to breach the border fence in Melilla. 

Unfortunately, their actions led to chaos and resulted in the loss of at least 23 lives. This incident highlighted the risks and challenges faced by migrants seeking a better life.

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