Mayhem As Tens Of Thousands Of Migrants Breach Ceuta Frontier
An estimated 49,000 illegal migrants are believed to have crossed from Morocco into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta, yesterday,Thursday 30th July, triggering an unprecedented security situation that threatened to overwhelm the authorities who appealed to Madrid for emergency assistance.
Footage released shows thousands of migrants coming ashore during a mass crossing the border – the largest mass breach of the border in a single day, the Spanish Interior Ministry said.
The footage was obtained from the European People’s Party (EPP) Group and shows the arrivals in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, on the North African coast, on 30th July.
The EPP Group is the largest bloc in the European Parliament and represents centre-right parties from across the continent.
Crowds gather on the sand and spread along the coast after swimming around the barrier where it meets the sea.
The EPP Group said in a statement: “Shocking images of massive and uncontrolled arrivals of illegal migrants at the Spanish border today.
“Uncontrolled borders demand immediate action. The EU Migration Pact and the Return Regulation can’t wait.
“We urge Spain to act NOW to secure our external borders and the European Commission to take appropriate action.
“The EPP Group will demand answers at the next plenary session.”
The influx has split Europe, with Italy urging that Spain be shut out of the Schengen passport-free zone and France ordering tighter checks on its own frontier.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said: “In response to the situation observed in the Ceuta enclave, I gave instructions as of last night to immediately strengthen the controls at the Spanish border.
“Furthermore, I am activating the Rapid Intervention Border Force for in-depth checks.”
Madrid summoned Italy’s ambassador in protest, accusing Rome of partisan demagoguery.
The 49,000 figure amounts to well over half of the roughly 83,600 residents of the territory, and officials put the number of children among the arrivals at 7,000.
At least 18 people have died, many by drowning and others crushed in the scramble past the Tarajal beach breakwater, according to Rachid Sbihi, who heads a local staff association for Civil Guard officers.
Madrid sent soldiers to back up the Civil Guard, whose strength in the enclave was almost doubled from 80 officers, along with divers and coastguard vessels.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez travelled to the Tarajal crossing on Friday with Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska after pledging swift action.
The ministry has blamed smuggling gangs for exploiting a Supreme Court ruling of 8th July that barred the immediate return of those who swim across, and Spain and Morocco have agreed to send back everyone who entered illegally.
