At least 18 die after thousands breach border between Morocco and Spanish territory of Ceuta
CEUTA, Spain — At least 18 migrants have died trying to reach the Spanish territory of Ceuta after thousands of people breached the frontier with Morocco and poured in.
The border crisis boiled over Thursday and continued on Friday ahead of Spain's Prime Minister's visit to the exclave, with security forces clashing with migrants on the Moroccan side of the border.
Live footage of the border showed hundreds of migrants gathered on a hill overlooking Ceuta being dispersed with tear gas by Moroccan forces, while others continued to swim to the Spanish territory.
At the same time, large groups of migrants walked back from Ceuta toward Morocco to return home.
Rachid Sbihi, who leads a local workers association representing Civil Guard officers, called the situation a “serious humanitarian crisis," saying thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied children, were left sleeping in parks and on sidewalks, while others roamed the streets aimlessly. “People are still entering.
The reinforcements, including Spanish military troops, that have arrived are only helping the injured and other h
TikTok‑driven surge into Ceuta
- Why Thousands of Moroccan Migrants Crossed Into the Spanish Exclave Ceuta Time —
- Thousands of migrants flood into Spain’s Ceuta as authorities try to stem tide TASS —
- Spain Rushes to Control Border After Tens of Thousands of Migrants Flood Into Exclave Wall Street Journal —
- Spain, Morocco try to halt deadly rush on Spanish enclave after tens of thousands cross in a day Deccan Herald —
- Spain’s PM blames trafficking gangs as 60,000 cross into Ceuta from Morocco, with 41 deaths The Philadelphia Inquirer —