Since July 30 local time, more than 50,000 immigrants have illegally entered Spain's enclave of Ceuta in North Africa, causing chaos. According to Reuters report on July 31, government officials in Ceuta revealed that 57 people have died during the entry process. Currently, the chaos is gradually subsiding, and tens of thousands of immigrants who attempted to cross the border have voluntarily returned.
Huda Government Chairman Juan Jesus Vivas stated that as of July 31, 57 bodies have been found in the Spanish side of the border area. Most of the victims died from drowning while swimming around the border berms, and some were killed in stampede accidents while trying to cross the fences. It is expected that there may be even more casualties on the Moroccan side.
The Spanish government estimates that more than 60,000 people attempted to cross the border from Morocco into Huda in recent times. Approximately 50,000 of these people crossed the border since July 30th. Huda currently has a registered population of 8,360, and the number of illegal immigrants has reached more than half of the local population.
A large number of immigrants are attempting to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. IC photo
Spain has deployed armed forces and additional police personnel in Hodei to restore order. The Moroccan army used tear gas and water cannons to disperse immigrants who rushed into Hodei, preventing more people from illegally crossing the border. As of the evening of July 31 local time, the chaotic situation is gradually calming down. The Spanish government stated that approximately 48,000 people have voluntarily returned.
The Autonomous Municipality of Ceuta is located on the southern coast of the Strait of Gibraltar and has been under Spanish control since 1580. According to Reuters, Ceuta and Melilla, Spanish-speaking enclaves located along the North African Mediterranean coast, are the only land borders between the EU and Africa. These enclaves often see immigration flows towards Europe, but this illegal cross-border incident represents the largest migration crisis that Ceuta has faced in recent years.
Huda is a Spanish enclave in North Africa.
Spanish Minister of Territorial Policy, Angel Victor Torres, stated that one of the reasons for this wave of immigration may be a ruling issued by the Spanish Supreme Court in early July. The ruling states that immigrants who are intercepted at sea attempting to reach Huda or Melilla should not be deported at the border immediately. However, legal experts pointed out that this does not prevent them from being eventually deported.
Facing the chaos at the Spanish border, reactions within the EU vary. European Commission President Barroso stated on July 31 that the cross-border incidents in Ceuta are "unacceptable," and the EU will provide additional support to Spain and strengthen coordination with Morocco.
The Italian government announced that due to a large number of illegal immigrants fleeing from Morocco into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, it has suspended the EU 'Schengen' agreement on borderless travel between Italy and Spain. This move will affect air and maritime travel between the two countries. In response, Spain condemned Italy for violating EU regulations.
