Several drown as hundreds of migrants rush to Spain’s Ceuta from Morocco

Several people drowned and hundreds more gathered on Thursday evening in Morocco’s northern town of Fnideq after unverified rumours spread that the border with Spain’s Ceuta had opened, according to an AFP journalist cited by Africanews.

The crowds converged on the frontier after word circulated that movement into the Spanish enclave might be possible. According to Africanews, some attempted the crossing by swimming along the coastline, where multiple bodies were later recovered by rescue teams.

A long-standing migration flashpoint

Ceuta is one of two Spanish autonomous cities located on the north African coast, the other being Melilla. Together they constitute the only land borders between the African continent and the European Union, and have for decades drawn migrants from across sub-Saharan Africa and the Maghreb seeking to enter Europe.

Mass attempts to breach the enclaves — by sea, by climbing the fortified border fences, or by forcing entry through checkpoints — have recurred regularly since at least the early 2000s. The surrounding waters are deep along many stretches of coast, and the perimeter fence runs for several kilometres, a combination that has repeatedly turned crossings into deadly undertakings.

Broader context

Past surges at the Ceuta and Melilla frontiers have at times coincided with periods of diplomatic strain between Rabat and Madrid over issues including migration cooperation and Western Sahara. Morocco has consistently denied any deliberate relaxation of border controls. What triggered Thursday’s rumours, and whether any official action was involved, was not addressed in the initial AFP reporting carried by Africanews.

Sources

This report was written from coverage published by the following news organisations. Follow the links for the original reporting.

• Africanews — Several drown as hundreds of migrants rush to Spain's Ceuta from Morocco
• Al Jazeera — Spain says migrants in Ceuta have returned to Morocco
• FRANCE 24 — Ceuta: Most migrants have returned to Morocco, 57 died crossing the border
• BBC News — Influx of migrants to Ceuta gives Spain diplomatic headache