How 60,000 migrants walked into Spain in three days - and why Morocco didn’t stop them
Approximately 60,000 migrants entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco over three days, causing a significant diplomatic and political crisis. Analysts suggest Morocco may be using migration as a tool for diplomatic pressure regarding sovereignty claims.
Why it matters
The mass migration event has strained relations between Spain, Morocco, and the broader European Union, highlighting border security challenges.
MADRID, Aug 2 — The sudden arrival of 60,000 migrants into Spain’s north African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco has triggered a political crisis in Madrid and other European capitals.
Some 60,000 migrants entered into the territory of 84,000 in less than three days, Ceuta’s top official Juan Jesus Vivas said.
The Spanish interior ministry said more than 48,000 of those who had arrived illegally in Ceuta had returned to Morocco.
The ministry said 34 people had died trying to reach Ceuta.
The scale is far bigger than the last similar event in May 2021 when around 12,000 crossed the border from Morocco into Ceuta in just a few days, Vivas said at the time.
Ignacio Cembrero, a Spanish journalist specialised in migration in North Africa, said it appeared Moroccan security forces had been “sitting on their hands” since Wednesday.
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