Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta witnessed a large-scale illegal migration from Morocco after thousands of people crossed the border by land and sea in an attempt to enter European territory.
While many migrants later returned to Morocco, hundreds remained in Spain’s Ceuta, including around unaccompanied migrant children, creating pressure on local authorities and shelter facilities.
Spanish authorities said several people died during the crossing, most of them in the sea, while Morocco also reported additional deaths. The migrants included people from Morocco as well as those from conflict-hit countries such as Sudan, Afghanistan and the Palestinian territories.
Minor migrants separated from families
Among those who reached Ceuta was a 17-year-old Moroccan girl from Tangier. She told the Associated Press that her younger brother drowned during the crossing and that she got separated from her mother after arriving. She later moved between temporary support points and the streets before approaching a youth centre, but it had no space available due to overcrowding.
The minor girl said local residents gave her food and clothes, while one woman allowed her to wash before she continued searching for assistance. The teenager also recalled seeing people being trampled during the chaotic crossing.
Shelters overcrowded
The sudden arrival of thousands of migrants quickly filled Ceuta’s reception centres. A government-run shelter built for around 600 people reached full capacity, forcing many migrants to stay on beaches and nearby hills. Authorities later organised food distribution after several migrants reported difficulty finding meals.
A 25-year-old Moroccan man who later returned home said he spent two days without food and warned others that conditions after entering Ceuta were much harder than expected.
Authorities begin support measures
Under Spanish law, unaccompanied migrant children are placed under government protection. Officials also faced the challenge of identifying minors after reports emerged that some young migrants were mistakenly being taken towards the Moroccan border before intervention by security personnel.
Spain announced €25 million (about $28.8 million) to support migrant children remaining in Ceuta and opened a missing persons office near the border to help families trace relatives. Authorities are now focusing on identifying children, reuniting separated families where possible and managing the remaining migrants in the enclave.
