Rescue Operations and Ongoing Challenges in Ceuta
During the night of Saturday, the rescue ship Urania from Salvamento Marítimo successfully aided a cayuco carrying 96 migrants, including nine women and two minors, off the coast of Lanzarote. Early Sunday, a helicopter located another vessel, but the number of individuals on board remains unknown. In a related development, Ángel Víctor Torres, the Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, confirmed via his X account that since August 10, approximately 12,000 individuals have returned to their countries from Ceuta, reflecting the ongoing challenges faced in managing the migrant crisis.
The situation has escalated with the conclusion of the eviction operation at El Guano beach, the last major settlement in Ceuta, marking a significant step in managing the migrant population in the area. However, the local transportation and logistics companies are facing dire economic challenges, reporting a staggering 40% drop in revenue while costs have risen by 17.3% compared to the same period last year, according to an updated study by the Chamber of Commerce. This financial strain poses a serious threat to essential services in the city.
Government Responses and Social Solidarity Initiatives
In response to the ongoing crisis, Ángel Gabilondo, the Ombudsman, has called for solidarity from the Autonomous Communities to accommodate the unaccompanied minors who have remained in Ceuta since July. Gabilondo emphasized the need for compassion and support to prevent the crisis from causing lasting damage to community relations in the autonomous city, where many are experiencing significant pain and suffering. Meanwhile, Alberto Núñez Feijóo has pledged that if he reaches the Palacio de la Moncloa, his first action will be to restore normalcy in Ceuta following the influx of around 15,000 irregular migrants in late July.
As of this week, Torres reported that 173 migrant minors have been relocated to other communities, with an additional 86 reuniting with family members in the Peninsula. The ongoing eviction operations, which began on Sunday morning, involved over 350 law enforcement officials, including the National Police, Civil Guard, and local police, aimed at clearing public spaces from informal settlements. The operation has been marked by efficiency, with reports indicating that approximately 300 individuals have already been evacuated from the Guano settlement.
Additionally, the central government is set to approve a decree on Tuesday to allocate €45.3 million to Ceuta to cover extraordinary expenses related to the crisis, including those in sanitation, education, environment, and social services. This announcement followed meetings between the Minister of Finance, Arcadi España, and local officials, highlighting the urgent need for financial support in light of the crisis's impact on the city's economy, which has suffered losses estimated between €65.55 and €74.34 million since late July.
As reported by antena3.com.
