The migration crisis in the Spanish exclave of Ceuta has reached alarming levels as protests erupted dramatically at the Benítez beach camp, where migrants have been residing for weeks. Demonstrators set fire to the camp, demanding the immediate repatriation of migrants back to Morocco. Television footage captured the chaos, showing protesters throwing items into the flames, including the belongings of the migrants themselves. Police intervened to separate the demonstrators from the refugees using tear gas and rubber bullets, as the latter retreated to a nearby pier for safety. The situation escalated further when protesters attempted to block Red Cross vehicles that were delivering food and water to the migrants.
In late July, during a massive influx, estimates suggested that up to 80,000 migrants arrived from Morocco to Ceuta, many of them swimming to reach the shore. Tragically, at least 96 individuals were reported dead during this perilous journey, according to official sources. Thousands of refugees continue to remain in the exclave as tensions rise. On Thursday, some refugees reportedly threw stones at a Spanish military vehicle, resulting in minor injuries to a soldier. Furthermore, twelve Moroccan citizens were arrested amidst the unrest. The residents of Ceuta have expressed feelings of being "abandoned," as articulated by the financial officer of the exclave, Kissy Chandiramani, in an interview with SER. The leftist government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez faces increasing pressure, revealing the depth of the political crisis exacerbated by disputes over potential warning measures prior to these events. The violent outbursts in Ceuta have been captured in various videos, illustrating the severity of the situation.
As reported by merkur.de.
