Fifty-one migrants, including ten minors, attempted to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Saturday morning. Tragically, one young Moroccan man drowned during the attempt.
The migrants, a mix of Moroccans and sub-Saharan Africans, swam across the breakwater separating Ceuta from Morocco.
The migrants displayed physical signs of the journey. Many bore wounds and bruises, likely inflicted by the sharp rocks lining the breakwater.
The Red Cross stepped in to provide medical attention, treating migrants suffering from hypothermia and exhaustion caused by the challenging swim.
Beyond the attempted sea crossing, two young sub-Saharan Africans, aged 19 and 22, managed to breach another security measure – the ten-meter-high double border fence separating Ceuta from Morocco.
Following identification at police headquarters, the migrants will be separated based on age. Adults will be transferred to the Center for the Temporary Stay of Immigrants (CETI), a facility already strained beyond its capacity.
The situation is even more concerning for the minors, most between 15 and 17 years old. They will be housed at the La Esperanza reception center, which currently shelters roughly 240 children, well above its designated capacity of 130.
Authorities believe the migrants may have chosen Saturday for their attempt due to the adverse weather conditions. Heavy rain, strong winds, and rough seas exceeding 60 kilometers per hour were reported throughout the day.
The migrants might have miscalculated, hoping for less police presence and potentially calmer waters aided by currents. However, the treacherous conditions likely contributed to the tragic loss of life.
Despite Morocco’s effort to curb irregular migration, it faces significant challenges. One major hurdle is the lack of cooperation with neighboring Algeria, a key transit point for sub-Saharan migrants entering Morocco.
Despite implementing a comprehensive migration law in 2003, Morocco has become a major stopover for thousands of Africans hoping to reach Europe.
These migrants often set their sights on Ceuta and Melilla, the Spanish enclaves bordering Morocco, or attempt dangerous boat journeys to mainland Spain.
The migrants’ desperation sometimes leads to mass attempts to scale the fences surrounding these enclaves using makeshift ladders. While some succeed in reaching the cities, these efforts often result in serious injuries and even death.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.