Spanish authorities have declared a humanitarian emergency in the North African enclave of Ceuta after thousands of migrants crossed into the territory from neighbouring Morocco.
The Ceuta migrant crisis intensified on Thursday as large groups of migrants entered the Spanish territory by swimming around the Tarajal breakwater.
Moreover, some reportedly crossed by climbing the border fence, adding pressure on already stretched reception centres.
Local officials said the growing number of arrivals has created an urgent humanitarian challenge. Meanwhile, the Spanish government has ruled out declaring a national emergency despite calls for stronger action.
According to Spain’s national broadcaster, TVE, between 2,000 and 3,000 migrants entered Ceuta on Thursday.
The state news agency, Efe, also reported that some migrants crossed into the enclave by scaling the high border fence.
Videos circulating online showed large crowds walking from the shoreline into nearby streets. Most of the migrants appeared to be young men. However, families, women and children were also seen among the arrivals.
Some migrants celebrated after reaching Spanish territory.
“Viva Espana!”
Juan Jesus Vivas, the head of Ceuta’s regional government, said the city had received around 1,500 migrants by sea over the past week alone.
He explained that local shelters had reached their limit, leaving many migrants without accommodation.
“We are facing a situation of absolute humanitarian and social emergency.”
Furthermore, Vivas revealed that facilities for unaccompanied minors were operating at 2,400 percent capacity.
He urged Spain’s central government to declare a national emergency based on security concerns. In addition, he requested more police officers and military support.
According to Vivas, the deployment would help “to guarantee the inviolability of the frontier and citizen safety.”
However, Spain’s Interior Ministry rejected calls for a national emergency over the migration situation.
Instead, the ministry assured residents that authorities would continue protecting the country’s borders while working closely with Morocco.
Officials also confirmed that Moroccan security forces were cooperating with Spain by stopping many people attempting to cross into Ceuta.
