Thousands of migrants breach Spain's Ceuta border from Morocco
Thousands of migrants, primarily Moroccans, streamed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco on Thursday, overwhelming border security. Local officials called on Spain to declare a national emergency and deploy the army. Spain's interior ministry refused, stating it would guarantee citizen safety and border integrity but could not declare a national emergency over migration. Rachid Sbihi, head of the Civil Guard officers' association in Ceuta, described the situation as "absolute chaos" with the border "totally collapsed." Achraf Maimouni of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights noted the Tarajal border was opened under unusual circumstances. Video footage showed crowds, including families with women and children, walking along breakwaters onto local roads.
Key facts
- Thousands of migrants breached the border between Morocco and Spain's Ceuta enclave on Thursday.
- Local officials called for Spain to declare a national emergency and send the army.
- Spain's interior ministry refused to declare a national emergency over migration concerns.
- Rachid Sbihi, head of the Civil Guard officers' association in Ceuta, said the border had 'totally collapsed'.
- Achraf Maimouni of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights said the Tarajal border was opened under unusual circumstances.
- The majority of migrants were young men, but families with women and children were also present.
- Video footage showed crowds walking around breakwaters at Tarajal beach onto local roads.
- The sudden increase prompted calls for a national emergency.
Entities
Institutions
- Spanish Civil Guard
- Moroccan Association for Human Rights
- Spain's interior ministry
Locations
- Ceuta
- Spain
- Morocco
- Tarajal beach
- Tarajal border