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60,000 Migrants Enter Spain’s Ceuta, 45,000 Return to Morocco Within Hours Amid Chaos (Img: X)
Ceuta: Thousands of migrants who crossed into Spain’s North African territory of Ceuta have begun returning to Morocco, just a day after a massive border surge created chaos and left at least 57 people dead.
Spanish authorities said a large number of migrants who entered the enclave by land and sea were voluntarily making their way back after struggling to find basic facilities inside Ceuta.
Some migrants stated that they opted to turn back because they could not obtain food and shelter. They have had to sleep on the streets as locals and security services witnessed the historic influx.
One migrant from Tangier said he was disappointed by his journey and had been without food since the previous day. Another 20-year-old migrant from Larache said that he swam for several hours but turned back because of tough conditions.
About 60,000 migrants were reported to have entered Ceuta within the span of Thursday and Friday morning, with almost 45,000 returning to Morocco within hours, according to media reports.
The unexpected movement of large numbers of migrants, equaling a considerable portion of the population of Ceuta, resulted in the deployment of extra police and military forces by officials to maintain order.
Spanish security forces deployed tactics such as tear gas and water cannons to manage crowds, whereas migrants tried to cross the sea dangerously to enter the territory.
The influx was attributed to a decision by the Spanish Supreme Court on the matter of return procedures for migrants who had been picked up from the sea, but not those who cross the border using barbed wire.
The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, has visited Ceuta and called the event a threat to the territorial integrity of Spain, attributing the situation to human trafficking groups.
This event has brought into focus the migration policies of Europe.
