Ceuta Official: Thousands Still in Spanish Enclave After Border Storm, Nearly 100 Dead

Ceuta's regional leader reported Thursday that between 3…

Ceuta's regional leader reported Thursday that between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants remain in the Spanish territory following a massive border surge from Morocco late last month, which he described as an invasion that has left the enclave in a state of emergency.

Speaking via video link to the European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee, Ceuta's President Juan Jesus Vivas confirmed that approximately 100 people lost their lives during the influx, which saw an estimated 80,000 individuals, mostly young men, cross into the city over a 48-hour span on July 30 and 31.

Vivas, who used the term 'invasion' to characterize the event, cited the Spanish Royal Academy's definition of an abnormal or irregular occupation of a place. He noted that the scale of the arrival was equivalent to the entire population of Ceuta, and he aligned his remarks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's earlier statement that the incident constituted an attack on Spain's territorial integrity.

Despite the return of roughly 75,000 migrants to

Despite the return of roughly 75,000 migrants to Morocco, Vivas stressed that Ceuta has not returned to normalcy. He described the remaining 3,000 to 5,000 individuals as a major humanitarian crisis, with reception centers for both adults and minors overwhelmed and at a breaking point. He also highlighted ongoing public order issues and a heightened risk to safety, alongside the deep anxiety and fear among Ceuta's residents, who worry about the possibility of a repeat event.

Vivas called for a series of measures to address the crisis, including the expulsion of the remaining migrants, increased resources for migrant facilities, and a push for a new economic strategy that he termed 'More Spain and More Europe.' He expressed confidence in the resilience of Ceuta's citizens but underscored the critical need for support from European authorities to prevent future occurrences and ensure the enclave's stability.

The border crisis has exacerbated existing tensions between Spain and Morocco, with Sánchez condemning the surge as a violation of Spain's sovereignty. The European Commission has also voiced solidarity with Spain, though concrete actions to bolster Ceuta's defenses remain under discussion.