Thousands of migrants continue to reside in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta following a large-scale rush across the border from Morocco, Ceuta President Juan Jesus Vivas stated Thursday. He estimated between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants remain in the territory after an estimated 80,000 people entered within a 48-hour period in late July.
Vivas addressed the situation during an extraordinary session of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, characterizing the event as an "invasion" and one of the most challenging moments in the city's recent history. He also reported that approximately 100 individuals died during the surge.
According to Vivas, the influx of migrants overwhelmed the city's reception centers for adults and minors, creating a significant humanitarian emergency. He noted disruptions to public order and high risks to public safety, stating that the morale of Ceuta's residents has been severely impacted, leading to feelings of sadness, helplessness, and fear.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had previously described the event as an "attack" and a violation of Spain's territorial integrity. While Vivas acknowledged that many of the migrants have returned to Morocco, he emphasized that the situation has not returned to normal due to the continued presence of thousands of individuals and the strain on resources.
Vivas proposed several actions to address the crisis, including the expulsion of remaining Moroccan migrants, increased resources for migrant facilities, and the implementation of a new economic model for Ceuta. He stressed the need for support from European authorities.
The border crisis has also exposed underlying tensions between Spain and Morocco, with Vivas suggesting that Spain's security and integrity were compromised by its reliance on Morocco's cooperation, as the country does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta.