Spain has announced the construction of a 500-meter containment fence along the sea border between its North African enclave of Ceuta and Morocco. This decision follows a recent surge in migrants, estimated between 50,000 and 60,000, who crossed into Ceuta earlier this week.
The Spanish government confirmed that the toll from the border rush has risen to 67 fatalities. The deaths include migrants who drowned and others who were killed in a stampede while attempting to cross a breakwater barrier.
On Saturday morning, soldiers intercepted a small group of exhausted migrants who had swum to Ceuta’s Tarajal beach, escorting them back across the border. The majority of those who entered Ceuta have since returned to Morocco, according to Spain’s Interior Ministry.
Government Response and Border Security
Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska emphasized a firm stance against illegal border crossings, stating, “We are relentless against those who break the law.” He acknowledged the need for joint evaluation with Morocco regarding the unprecedented breach but defended the cooperation between the two countries, which he credits with stabilizing the situation within 24 hours.
“Morocco is not a threat to Ceuta or the rest of Spain. It is a reliable partner,” Marlaska affirmed.
Impact on Ceuta and Migrant Conditions
Ceuta’s President Juan Jesús Vivas described the city’s life as disrupted by the border incident and noted that while the repatriation process has begun, normalcy has yet to fully return in the autonomous city of 84,000 residents.
Meanwhile, in the Moroccan city of Tangier and the border town of Fnideq, migrants continue to attempt crossings despite increased security measures. Many face harsh conditions and limited access to food and transport, with local authorities enforcing strict controls.
Some migrants who remain in Ceuta express determination to stay despite hardships. Mohamed Hatri, a 23-year-old Moroccan migrant, said, “They’ve closed everything down so that we can’t buy anything to eat, to force us to return to our country. But even if they close it down … we’re bound to stay here, whether we’re hungry or not.”
