Spain’s Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, provided updated figures on the influx of migrants into Ceuta last week while EU ministers addressed the crisis on Tuesday. Grande-Marlaska stated that approximately 72,000 migrants had entered the Spanish border last week, with 70,000 having returned to Morocco. A local official, Alejandro RamÃrez, estimated that around 3,000 to 5,000 migrants remained in the city, although the exact number was challenging to ascertain.
The Spanish government announced a commitment of 25 million euros ($40.5 million Cdn) to support minors in Ceuta. Additionally, the Spanish Civil Guard announced the establishment of a missing persons office at the customs house on the border and provided an email address for reporting missing individuals.
Many migrants voluntarily returned upon realizing the difficulty of reaching mainland Europe or the limited capacity of the small enclave with 84,000 residents to accommodate them. Among the remaining migrants in Ceuta are individuals from various countries, including Sudan, Palestine, Afghanistan, and other African nations.
Approximately 1,000 vulnerable minors, who crossed the border without their families, are still in Ceuta. Tragic incidents, such as the drowning of a young boy during a chaotic crossing, have left migrants in distress. Spanish law allows adult migrants to apply for asylum, while unaccompanied minors are entitled to protection and care by Spanish authorities.
The death toll from the migration surge has risen to 75, with most fatalities occurring in the water. Ceuta officials had forewarned the Spanish government of the impending influx, while Moroccan parents anxiously awaited news of their children who had crossed into Ceuta.
Misinterpretations of Spanish legal developments and false promises regarding regularization led some migrants to embark on the perilous journey. The EU is exploring measures to address the crisis, emphasizing the need for enhanced intelligence sharing, social media monitoring, and border security.
Migration remains a contentious issue in the EU, with recent surges reigniting debates on border controls and refugee policies. Despite declines in irregular crossings in previous years, the pandemic saw a slight increase in migration flows, prompting renewed concerns among European nations.
