Rabat – The government of the Spanish enclave of Ceuta has described the recent arrival of more than 1,100 migrants, including adults and minors, in just over a week as an “extremely serious” situation and called on Spain’s central government to take urgent action.
Many of the migrants reached the Spanish enclave by swimming from Morocco. On Wednesday alone, nearly 1,000 people were reportedly rescued from the water by Moroccan authorities and Spain’s Civil Guard, according to Spanish reports. Videos shared online showed groups of Moroccans, including women and minors, swimming toward Ceuta’s coast at night.
The large number of arrivals has placed heavy pressure on Ceuta’s security forces and migrant reception services, Canal Sur reported. Civil Guard officers have been working across the city and at sea to rescue and assist people arriving along different parts of the coast.
Ceuta government spokesperson Alejandro Ramírez said the situation requires an “extraordinary and immediate response” from the Spanish state, describing it as a migration crisis.
The city’s Temporary Migrant Reception Center, known as CETI, is also under growing pressure. More than 600 people are currently staying at the center, while nearly 500 others are waiting to enter, according to Ceuta’s government.
Authorities have called for faster transfers of adults and minors to mainland Spain to ease the pressure on the city.
Ramírez said the recent ruling by Spain’s Supreme Court, which prevents the immediate return of migrants who enter Ceuta by sea, could be affecting the situation. However, he said there was no clear evidence of a direct link, noting that Ceuta also experienced a rise in arrivals during the summer of 2024.
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Police unions have argued that the ruling may have encouraged more people to attempt the dangerous sea crossing.
The Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration said it is providing humanitarian assistance to the new arrivals and organizing regular transfers to mainland Spain under current laws.
The ministry added that it remains in close coordination with the Spanish government delegation in Ceuta, the Interior Ministry, and other authorities involved in managing the situation.
The latest arrivals have created one of the most intense periods of migration pressure Ceuta has experienced in recent years, with local authorities warning that the city’s resources are reaching their limits.
Morocco and Spain have continued to work together on migration management and border security, with Moroccan authorities also taking part in rescue operations during the latest arrivals. On Wednesday, Moroccan naval units were seen rescuing migrants from the water and transporting them away from the coast as Spanish Civil Guard officers continued their operations on the other side.
The two countries have strengthened cooperation on migration in recent years, particularly following the major migration crisis in Ceuta in May 2021, when thousands of people entered the Spanish enclave from Morocco. However, the latest wave of arrivals shows that migration pressure remains a major challenge for both countries, especially as more people attempt to reach Ceuta by sea.
