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Rabat – A would-be irregular migrant recently made a daring attempt to enter the Spanish enclave Melilla using a paraglider.
A widely circulated video on social media showed the migrant departing from Mount Gurugu in the Moroccan northern city of Nador, managing to fly over the Melilla border.
Another video showed the same migrant quickly fleeing upon landing in the Spanish enclave, leaving the paraglider at the scene.
The incident reflects a growing trend among migrants, who resort to using paragliding as an alternative to getting through the heavily guarded borders of Melilla.
The new technique is a response to the heightened surveillance and security measures at traditional entry points to Ceuta and Melilla.
Morocco is a hotspot for migrants hoping to reach Spain. While many choose to make the dangerous journey to Europe via the Mediterranean Sea, some see the two Spanish enclaves as an easier gateway to Europe.
Once in Morocco, migrants often gather in cities near the border with the Spanish enclaves, where they try various means to enter Spain. Attempts to scale fences, swim, use small boats, or employ paragliding are some of the methods employed.
At the end of April 2023, data from the Spanish interior ministry revealed a 36% year-on-year decrease in irregular immigration flow from Morocco to Spain.
In April 2022, around 6,525 irregular migrants entered Spain from Morocco, compared to 10,256 the previous year.
According to Spanish media, migrants who traditionally departed from Morocco have shifted to the classic on-foot crossing through the borders of Ceuta and Melilla.
Official data highlighted a substantial 75% reduction in immigrant flow through the fences of these Spanish enclaves, dropping from 1,265 to 311 individuals.
The decline in irregular immigration can be attributed to Morocco’s enhanced border control efforts.
Holding up its end of a migration management bargain with the EU, Morocco has in recent years considerably strengthened border controls to prevent irregular migration towards Europe.
