Spain's Ceuta Overwhelmed
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Al Jazeera on MSN
Ceuta and Melilla: Why Europe’s African border remains a flashpoint
The two Spanish enclaves in North Africa remain at the centre of a diplomatic standoff between Spain and Morocco.
Thousands of migrants are attempting to enter Spain's Ceuta enclave from Morocco. Ceuta is a small Spanish territory located on the African continent. This enclave serves as one of Europe's most closely watched external borders.
An unprecedented surge of migrants into Spanish territory in North Africa marked the first test of the European Union’s new migration pact and has reignited the bloc’s debate over immigration.
An estimated 60,000 people from Morocco crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, on the African side of the Strait of Gibraltar, in an unprecedented mass movement last week. At least 72 people died during the attempt.
Families have gathered at the Moroccan border with Ceuta, searching for missing relatives among returning migrants.
Spain and Morocco reinforced the border fence of a Spanish enclave after around 49,000 people arrived by sea in one day. Dozens of bodies have been recovered, Spanish authorities said.
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Spain installs floating barrier in North African enclave following border rush by tens of thousands
According to Spanish authorities, about 50,000 people crossed into Ceuta by land and sea from Thursday in an unprecedented surge.
Spain reports 72 deaths as the Ceuta migrant crisis deepens, with intelligence officials saying Morocco allowed border controls to gradually relax.