Spain says migrants leaving Ceuta after mass influx in which 67 died
Spain has said migrants who surged into Ceuta, its North African enclave, are now leaving the territory, following a mass influx in which 67 people died.
The announcement comes as European Union interior ministers prepare to meet next week to coordinate the bloc’s response to the humanitarian situation at one of Europe’s most sensitive external borders.
A long-contested crossing point
Ceuta, along with Melilla further east along the Moroccan coast, is one of two Spanish autonomous cities located on the African continent. Surrounded by Morocco and separated from the Iberian Peninsula by the Strait of Gibraltar, the enclaves have long been points of entry for migrants seeking to reach the European Union, particularly from sub-Saharan Africa.
The territory’s geographic position, with a land border meeting Moroccan territory, makes it a recurring focal point in debates over migration policy. In past episodes, thousands of people have crossed into Ceuta in a single day, often prompting diplomatic exchanges between Madrid and Rabat.
EU response and wider cooperation
The European Commission has previously signalled that addressing irregular migration requires cooperation with countries of origin and transit, particularly in West and North Africa. Spain’s relationship with Morocco has been central to managing flows across the Ceuta border, with Rabat at times easing or tightening border controls in line with broader diplomatic considerations.
EU interior ministers are expected to convene next week to discuss a coordinated response to the latest crisis. The talks are likely to focus on border management, humanitarian assistance, and the wider framework of EU-African cooperation on migration.
Spanish authorities did not immediately provide further details on conditions inside Ceuta or the pace at which migrants were departing the territory.
Source: Al Jazeera — read the original report.
