Spain’s government says the situation is under control in its North African territory of Ceuta after an unprecedented surge of migrants. Most of the more than 50,000 people who crossed the border into Ceuta by land and sea from Thursday began returning voluntarily to Morocco on Friday (31 July). At least 57 people died during the mass crossing, however. Their bodies were recovered on the Spanish side of the border, and more deaths are feared on the Moroccan side.
A government representative in Ceuta said some of the dead drowned and others were crushed while climbing the barrier protecting the border fence. Spain’s interior ministry said about 50,000 people had crossed the border since Thursday morning. By 6 pm Friday, about 48,300 of them had already returned to Morocco. The head of Ceuta’s local government, Juan Jesús Vivas, claimed the number of people who crossed the border over the past two days could be as high as 60,000.
Moroccan security forces used baton charges and tear gas to stop more people entering; water cannon were also deployed. The burnt-out remains of a bus and seven cars were seen after clashes. Military vehicles were deployed on the Spanish side of the border.
Reuters reported that hundreds of people were returning to Morocco through various gaps and entry points along the border. Some said they had faced shortages of food and shelter after entering Ceuta. A young Moroccan from Tangier said: “Honestly, I don’t even know why I came. Now I’m going back.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited Ceuta on Friday and called the incident a “violation of the country’s territorial sovereignty.” He said steps had been taken to quickly return those who entered illegally to their own country.
Ceuta and Melilla — two autonomous Spanish cities in North Africa — form the European Union’s only land border with Africa. Migrants have long used these borders to try to enter Europe, but the scale of this surge is considered unprecedented.
The incident has also sparked political debate across Europe. Italy has announced it is suspending the operation of Europe’s border-free Schengen system with Spain. Madrid has protested that the decision runs counter to EU agreements. France has also announced increased police and surveillance at its border with Spain. Meanwhile, though Moroccan security forces’ tough action has thwarted most fresh attempts to cross, small groups of migrants near the border are still looking for a way into Europe.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report