54 children swim from Morocco to Spanish enclave of Ceuta in rough seas, fog
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Video footage on Spanish TV showed Civil Guard boats making repeated attempts to rescue the swimmers.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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- At least 54 children and 30 adults swam from Morocco to Ceuta, Spain, in rough seas and fog, prompting rescue efforts.
- Ceuta authorities requested central government assistance to manage the influx of mostly Moroccan children taken to temporary centres.
- Spain's enclaves, Ceuta and Melilla, often face migrant crossings; those detained are returned to Morocco unless underage or seeking asylum.
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MADRID – At least 54 children and about 30 adults swam from Morocco to Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta in rough seas and fog, Spanish media reported on July 26.
Video footage on Spanish television channel RTVE showed Civil Guard launches making repeated rescue attempts to bring some of the swimmers to safety, while others swam across to the enclave.
The children, who were mostly Moroccan, were taken to temporary centres in Ceuta, where the authorities called for help from the central government in dealing with the latest arrivals.
“Don’t leave us alone. This is a matter of state. This has to be resolved,” Mr Juan Rivas, of the Ceuta regional government, told reporters on July 26.
On Aug 26, 2024, hundreds of migrants took advantage of a thick mist to swim to Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco, local police said.
In 2021, one boy was seen floating on empty plastic bottles in his attempt to reach Ceuta.
Spain’s two enclaves on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast, Ceuta and Melilla, share the European Union’s only land borders with Africa. The enclaves sporadically experience waves of attempted crossings by migrants trying to reach Europe.
A video screengrab shows at least 54 children and about 30 adults swimming from Morocco to Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta, Spain, on July 26.
via REUTERS
Moroccan nationals detained during the crossings are immediately sent back to Morocco, unless they are underage or seeking asylum.
People from other nationalities are taken to special centres where they are given shelter and released after a few days.
Three years ago, at least 23 people died in a stampede when about 2,000 migrants tried to storm into Melilla, pushing down the border fence. REUTERS
