Why Are Hundreds of Moroccans Swimming to Ceuta?
The question on everyone's lips is why countless Moroccans are making the perilous swim to Ceuta from Morocco. This inquiry has gained urgency following the distressing images captured on what is being described as one of the worst days of migration pressure in recent memory. Officially, no data is being released by either the Government Delegation or the Ministry of the Interior, leaving individuals at the border to witness the unfolding crisis firsthand. From early this morning, particularly around six o'clock, there was a noticeable surge in activity in the waters, which persisted until noon.
On this Wednesday, over 1,200 migrants were rescued by three Moroccan Royal Navy patrol boats and the Gendarmerie, alongside the Maritime Rescue Service of the Civil Guard. The vessels were filled to capacity, showcasing scenes not seen for quite some time. Moroccan authorities ventured into Spanish waters to collect their nationals, even operating within the confines of Spanish territory. The situation was completely out of control, with hundreds of individuals being plucked from the water as more continued to arrive.
The Strain on Civil Guard Officers
As midday approached, some semblance of normalcy returned, yet it was overshadowed by an ongoing tension regarding how long this chaotic situation would persist. The political class remains uncertain, desperately seeking to calm the situation while anticipating a robust response from Madrid. The Civil Guard officers are at their breaking point, tirelessly rescuing migrants from every corner. They pick them up, hand them over, only for more to keep coming. From the Port Authority, one could see boats overflowing with migrants, as well as those from Maritime Rescue.
The coastlines are left unmonitored, and hundreds of Moroccans are launching themselves into the water, including adults, children, and women. The Maritime Service is operating at its limits, relying on its own vessels as well as those from the Special Group for Underwater Activities (GEAS). The S-42, touted as a flagship asset, has once again suffered mechanical failure, rendering it unusable for the operation today due to persistent malfunctions.
Images from the day illustrate a particularly challenging scene in Ceuta, with overwhelmed officers unable to cope with the influx. Political assurances have been made, but on the ground and at sea, the Civil Guard is demanding concrete actions to stem this tide of migrants. Unfortunately, the sentiment among the officers is that the situation is only set to worsen. The patrols of the Civil Guard are also stretched thin, as they focus solely on transporting migrants to the headquarters, diverting resources from other critical duties. The intense pressure being experienced in Ceuta is regarded as unprecedented, with officers themselves labeling it a 'record' crisis. Local residents are acutely aware of the situation, as young migrants are arriving in various parts of the city.
In the midst of this crisis, President Juan Vivas of Ceuta has reached out to the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, but has only been attended to by the Prime Minister's chief of staff, not by Sánchez himself. This detail underscores the level at which the issues in Ceuta are being addressed. While it is true that the city has been in contact with various ministries to relay the ongoing situation, the delegation has also been reporting daily occurrences to higher authorities.
The key lies in the reaction of the Spanish Government and a president who, during the previous crisis in May, took immediate action but has yet to respond to the recent call for assistance amidst one of the most critical moments of migration pressure faced by Ceuta.
As reported by elfarodeceuta.es.
