A border crisis erupted as approximately 50,000 to 60,000 migrants surged into Ceuta, a Spanish autonomous city in North Africa, but the situation has significantly calmed within a day.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Spain's Ministry of the Interior reported that on the second day of the crisis, at least 48,300 of the unauthorized entrants voluntarily returned to Morocco.
The Spanish government estimated the number of unauthorized entrants at around 50,000, while local authorities in Ceuta suggested the figure could exceed 60,000.
Currently, only thousands remain in Ceuta, and the Spanish government is deploying military personnel to assist with identity verification and repatriation procedures.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited Ceuta and condemned the situation, stating, "This is an attack and an infringement on Spain's territorial integrity."
Sánchez announced plans to establish a temporary reception center in Ceuta for processing migrant documentation and to expedite the deportation of unauthorized migrants. He also mentioned plans to install maritime boundary buoys along the coast to prevent further crossings.
The Sánchez administration has recently adopted a lenient immigration policy within the European Union (EU), allowing around one million long-term undocumented migrants in Spain to apply for legal residency. However, this crisis may expose the government to criticism for failing to manage border security effectively.
Various interpretations have emerged regarding the background of the crisis. Some experts suggest that the Moroccan government may have tacitly allowed the influx or used it for political purposes, particularly in light of recent warming relations between Spain and Algeria, which may have displeased Morocco.
Concerns have also been raised that this incident could establish Ceuta as a major migration route to mainland Europe. Calls for the Sánchez government to restore border controls are growing, both domestically and within the EU, which is bound by the Schengen Agreement allowing free movement.
Italy has announced the closure of its maritime and air borders with Spain. France has strengthened border checks with Spain, while Germany and Sweden have urged Spain to "control the situation." U.S. President Donald Trump referred to the crisis as a "disaster" and criticized the Spanish government.
In 2021, a similar situation occurred when 5,000 to 8,000 Moroccans crossed into Ceuta amid diplomatic tensions over the entry of a leader of the Western Sahara independence movement into Spain. The Moroccan government does not recognize Spain's sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla, both located in North Africa.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.