Ceuta ‘not back to normal’ after Morocco border surge leaves residents shocked and unaccompanied minors homeless

Spain’s North African enclave “is not back to business as usual,” Ceuta’s Mayor-President told EU officials on Thursday (6 August), as his city struggles with the effects of a migration wave as large as the resident count of the city. The Spanish autonomous territory was shaken by a mass migration arrival from Morocco last week, with over 80,000 people counted by local authorities. Mayor Juan Jesús Vivas Lara confirmed the return of over 75,000 people across the Moroccan border on Thursday, though an estimated 3000-5000 people still remain in Ceuta. A group of Ceuta’s residents reportedly conducted an impromptu census, counting over 5000 minors among those left in limbo in the Spanish enclave. With reception centres overwhelmed by demand and most left to sleep on the streets, locals have taken to helping out with food and clothes. Many of these children and teens have had to resort to begging as youth facilities are full. Ceuta-based media also reported the rape of a minor who arrived amongst the chaos of the mass migrant entry. “The influx has led to a humanitarian emergency of enormous proportions,” Vivas commented before Thursday's extraordinary meeting of the European Parliament's justice and civil liberties committee on the topic. To read this story, log in or subscribeEnjoy access to all articles and 25 years of archives, comment and gift articles. Become a subscriber for as low as €1,75 per week.Read without limitsAlready a subscriber? Login