The attempt to illegally enter Spain’s autonomous region of Ceuta from Morocco in North Africa has turned into a horrific humanitarian disaster. A total of 72 people have tragically died trying to enter this part of Spain, most of whom died due to drowning and being crushed during a stampede. This massive influx of people and attempted illegal migration, triggered by a false social media rumour, has shocked the Spanish and Moroccan authorities. However, following strict action by the Spanish security forces and the army, approximately 48,000 people have been repelled, while strict measures are being taken to control the situation in the area.
A rumour led to a stampede of 60,000 people.
This entire horrific incident began when a dangerous rumor gained momentum. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez reported that some notorious human traffickers had completely misinterpreted a Supreme Court ruling, spreading the rumor that any migrant who swam or illegally entered Ceuta by sea would not be sent back without a legal hearing. Fueled by this false hope, approximately 60,000 Moroccans rushed to Ceuta’s Tarazal beach on Thursday to force their way in. The chaos and stampede that followed resulted in dozens of people drowning and being trampled underfoot.
The army and police took over, and people were sent back by land.
Ceuta’s mayor, Juan Jesus, told the media that the bodies of 88 migrants had arrived at the local mortuary, some of whom had died during the sea crossing before Thursday. Ceuta is considered a gateway to Europe, where young people, fed up with poverty, unemployment, and misery in Africa, often seek to enter Europe through risky routes. Miguel Angel Perez, the Spanish government’s representative to Ceuta, stated that more than 1,000 injured migrants have been treated in this horrific accident. Describing the heartbreaking scenes, he said that many women risked their lives crossing the sea with their two-month-old babies. To control the situation, the Spanish army immediately took charge and began pushing the intruders back by land.
Tight security measures: 500-meter-long floating wall built on Tarajal beach
Following this large-scale illegal infiltration and stampede, the Spanish administration has implemented strict security measures to prevent any such incidents in the future. On Ceuta’s Tarazal beach, the administration has erected a special floating barrier, approximately 500 meters (1,600 feet) long, to completely seal off illegal entry by sea. In addition, a large number of police and army personnel have been deployed along the beach, conducting frequent patrols. Following these strict and swift actions by the administration, life in the city is slowly returning to normal, with markets, restaurants, and cafes bustling again.