Following the cooperation between the Moroccan and Spanish authorities, many migrant refugees who had managed to reach Ceuta were immediately returned to Morocco.
Last Sunday, the Spanish authorities arrested 700 illegal migrants who were trying to cross the border from Fnideq beach into the enclave of Ceuta. The operation was necessitated by dense fog and a large influx
of refugees, prompting many to throw themselves into the sea in an attempt to reach Spanish territory.
The migrants, from various countries, took advantage of the weather conditions and the crowds to try their luck.
However, the initiative proved extremely dangerous, even for the most experienced swimmers. Among those arrested were minors, who were taken to the Martil reception centre in northern Morocco. The adults were handed over to the public prosecutor, who decided to prosecute a number of them, particularly those known to be repeat offenders.
In a separate incident, the Moroccan gendarmerie rescued four migrants after their boat capsized near the coast of the Spanish enclave of Melilla.
The incident occurred on Sunday, when the migrants, including a young girl, were attempting to reach the coast of Melilla on board a pleasure boat. Ignoring warnings from the Moroccan gendarmerie, they continued on their way until the Spanish Guard intervened with a large rubber dinghy.
After several warnings, the Spanish forces carried out a dangerous manoeuvre by striking the boat from behind, causing it to capsize. The four migrants fell overboard, but were quickly rescued by the Moroccan gendarmerie. They were transported to the gendarmerie centre at the port of Beni Ansar, in a locality close to the area of the incident where one of the migrants, who was unconscious, was transferred to the provincial hospital in Nador to receive first aid. After treatment, he was able to leave the hospital in good health.
The Moroccan authorities have opened a judicial enquiry to determine the exact circumstances of the incident.
Despite everything, illegal migration to the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla is a recurring phenomenon. These enclaves, located on the North African coast, represent strategic entry points for those seeking to reach Europe. However, attempts to cross are often perilous and can lead to human tragedy.
MN/Sf/ac/fss/GIK/APA