Between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants are still present in the Spanish territory of Ceuta following a recent crisis that saw approximately 78,000 people arrive by sea within a few hours. Juan Jesús Vivas, the leader of the North African exclave, addressed the European Parliament on Thursday, describing the situation as an “irreparable tragedy” that resulted in 100 deaths.
Vivas, a conservative, criticized the administration of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, labeling the national government's response as both delayed and inadequate. He noted that the lack of precise data regarding the number of migrants remaining in the territory highlights a severe shortage of resources. While nearly 75,000 individuals have been returned to Morocco, Vivas stated that the territory remains in a state of humanitarian emergency, with public order disturbances and significant difficulties in managing the return of minors.
The situation regarding migrant children is particularly strained. While the Spanish government has pledged €25m to assist minors, reports from the newspaper El Mundo suggest that volunteer groups have registered 4,860 children—a figure double the official estimate. Local volunteers have described the current circumstances as “unsustainable,” as some residents have begun taking children into their own homes. Meanwhile, regional authorities on the Spanish mainland have shown reluctance to accept these minors, despite calls for solidarity from leaders in Melilla.
The mass crossing has sparked diplomatic friction within the European Union. Although the EU Commission praised Spain’s “swift response,” which included the deployment of armed forces, some EU nations have reacted by questioning Spain's Schengen area status. EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner suggested that criminal networks utilizing disinformation campaigns played a role in the surge, an assessment supported by Prime Minister Sánchez. Conversely, Moroccan sources have attributed the collapse of border control to a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling that restricted the summary return of migrants.
As authorities monitor social media reports of potential new calls for mass crossings, Vivas expressed the ongoing anxiety of local residents. “Our people feel sad, helpless, anxious, fearful and worried,” he said, adding that the community remains concerned about the possibility of future incidents.
Source: BBC News
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