Disaster at the EU Border

Chaos in Ceuta! 49,000 migrants storm the exclave

60,000 people stormed the Spanish exclave of Ceuta; many have since begun their return journey to Morocco.(Bild: AFP/ABDEL MAJID BZIOUAT)

Within 24 hours, 60,000 (!) migrants stormed the Spanish exclave of Ceuta—significantly more than previously estimated. Tens of thousands have since returned to Morocco, but the situation remains chaotic, with residents complaining of “total vulnerability.” Italy has temporarily suspended the Schengen Agreement with Spain. 

As recently as Friday, the Spanish Ministry of the Interior had reported a figure of about 49,000 refugees. Now, however, the number has been revised upward once again: A total of 60,000 migrants entered Ceuta. According to the city government, at the peak, 200 migrants per minute stormed the EU’s external border, the “Financial Times” reported. They reportedly entered the area from Morocco by sea and overland.

At least 57 people have died so far, according to the authorities. However, it is believed that many more bodies are still floating in the sea. The Guardia Civil has reportedly deployed two dive teams from its GEAS special unit, consisting of eight officers from Andalusia, to Ceuta to assist in the search.

Meanwhile, more people were leaving Ceuta than arriving
Ceuta has a population of around 87,000—which means that, all at once, there were about 70 percent more people there than usual. “This figure shows that it is impossible to absorb such pressure,” explained Ceuta President Juan Jesús Vivas. But not all 60,000 migrants remained in the Spanish exclave; by Friday afternoon, according to the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, about 48,000 people had returned to Morocco. According to the newspaper “El País,” more people are now leaving Ceuta than are arriving there.

Chaos in the City
Newspapers such as “El País” and “El Español” describe the situation in thecityas pure chaos. Because thousands of migrants are wandering aimlessly through the city center due to a lack of available space in the completely overcrowded reception centers, many stores have remained closed. Local residents have barricaded themselves in their homes out of fear of unrest.

Men Wander “Aimlessly” Through the Cityof
 National media describe the enclave as an “improvised open-air dormitory” where the city’s infrastructure has completely collapsed. Young men, in particular, are said to be wandering “aimlessly” through the city. It feels “like noon” in the city center, even in the middle of the night.

Residents feel abandoned: A retailer told the Reuters news agency that the city’s business owners are organizing to establish “self-defense” for their shops and families, since police forces are tied down exclusively at the border. Further statements from citizens describe a “total lack of protection and the feeling of having been abandoned by the central government in Madrid.”

Clashes reportedly broke out overnight at the border with Morocco. Police used tear gas, and several cars were set on fire. Thousands of migrants continued to try to reach the EU’s external border. However, the rush has since subsided. 

Spain Sends Troopst
 Not since 2021 have so many people stormed the North African exclave at once; at that time, more than 8,000 people arrived within 36 hours. In light of the tense situation, Spain has now sent troops to the exclave. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez plans to travel to the Tarajal border crossing together with Interior Minister Fernando Gramnde-Marlaska.

In the second exclave, Melilla, hundreds of migrants had also recently crossed the border. About 400 people entered the area from Morocco via two land border crossings and over a dam in the southern part of the city, the president of the autonomous city, Juan José Imbroda, told the radio station Cope on Thursday evening.

“We WillNot Stand Idly By”: Italy Suspends Schengen Agreement
In light of the exceptional situation, Italy temporarilysuspendedthe Schengen Agreement with Spain: “We will notstandidly by,” announced Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni. She also called for Spain to be temporarily excluded from the Schengen Area. Finland joined in this call.

In light of these events, France also stepped up its controls at the internal Schengen border with Spain. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated on Friday on the social media platform X that he had issued instructions to “immediately step up controls at the Spanish border.”

There have also been reactions from Austria to the dramatic events in the North African exclaves. ÖVP Member of the European Parliament Lukas Mandl blamed the Spanish government’s policies for the events: “The images from Spain are deeply disturbing. They are the result of a completely misguided migration policy by the Spanish government,” Mandl stated. FPÖ MEP Petra Steger described the events as “a complete admission of failure on the part of European migration policy.”