The Ceuta government declared a 'total humanitarian and social emergency' after 9 bodies were found on the beach and at least 60 migrants have died attempting to cross the border in recent months, according to reports. Spain is reportedly preparing to deploy armed forces to the enclave. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticized the EU's handling of the crisis, accusing European leaders of hypocrisy.
The Ceuta government has declared a 'total humanitarian and social emergency' as the migration crisis in the Spanish enclave reaches new heights. Nine bodies were found on the beach, and at least 60 migrants have died attempting to cross the border from Morocco in recent months, according to the authorities. Spain is reportedly preparing to deploy armed forces to regain control.
The declaration follows a week of escalating pressure. Earlier Friday, a Spanish Supreme Court ruling blocked the immediate return of migrants who reach Spanish territory by sea, a decision the local governor warned would lead to 'chaos'. Reports indicated that police and soldiers on the ground had not been intervening to stop the influx, with migrants openly mocking the authorities.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova weighed in, accusing the EU of hypocrisy and systemic failure. She questioned why the bloc's security officials had not resigned, and argued that the crisis reflects a 'systemic collapse' of Western values and border integrity.
The death toll continues to rise. The Ceuta government has demanded that Madrid deploy forces, and local residents have expressed fear, with some describing the influx as 'an invasion'. The crisis, which has seen tens of thousands of migrants cross since late July, remains a severe test for the EU's external border.
2 developments
- StrongMore than 37,500 migrants return to Morocco from Ceuta, Spanish authorities report
- StrongReport claims 50,000 migrants infiltrated Europe in a single day
- DevelopingAbu Ali Express: Spanish police, soldiers not intervening in Ceuta as migrants mock authorities
- StrongReport projects 100,000 new migrants could reach Europe by Friday as Spanish PM reiterates integration policy
Source and signal
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