Between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants are still present in the North African territory of Ceuta following a massive surge that saw approximately 78,000 people arrive by sea within a few hours last week. Juan Jesús Vivas, the leader of the exclave, addressed the European Parliament on Thursday, describing the situation as a humanitarian emergency and an "irreparable tragedy" that resulted in 100 deaths.
Vivas, a conservative, expressed frustration with the Spanish national government, characterizing their response as late and insufficient. He noted that the lack of precise data regarding the number of migrants remaining in the territory highlights a severe shortage of local resources. While nearly 75,000 individuals have been returned to Morocco, Vivas stated that the situation remains unstable, particularly regarding the care of unaccompanied minors. Although the Spanish government has pledged €25 million to assist these children, reports from local volunteer groups suggest the number of minors in the territory is significantly higher than official estimates.
The crisis has strained diplomatic relations and sparked internal friction within the European Union. While the EU Commission praised Spain's deployment of armed forces to Ceuta and Melilla, some EU nations have moved to restrict travel arrangements with Spain. Meanwhile, Moroccan officials have attributed the influx to a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling that limited the summary return of migrants intercepted at sea, arguing that the decision undermined border security.
Tensions remain high as reports emerge of new calls on social media for further mass crossings. EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner has suggested that criminal networks are utilizing disinformation to fuel these attempts. Despite the ongoing uncertainty, Spanish authorities maintain they are working with Morocco to prevent future border violations and facilitate the return of those still in the territory.
Source: BBC News
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