Frustration Grows at Ceuta Border as Eid al-Adha Approaches
Travelers planning to cross the border between Ceuta and Morocco to celebrate the Eid al-Adha holiday have expressed their frustration over the extensive blockages they encountered at Tarajal. Numerous motorcyclists find themselves stuck, unable to cross into Morocco swiftly, due to a border crossing that currently has only one lane open and a significant reduction in the number of National Police officers available to facilitate control procedures.
The situation has been exacerbated by the influx of buses heading to the neighboring country, further delaying the crossing as authorities prioritize these larger vehicles over motorcycles. Motorcyclists have been informed that the buses, each carrying at least 50 passengers, would cross first, resulting in a backlog of motorbikes waiting to proceed. This Friday, the volume of travelers leaving Ceuta has surged, coinciding with the anticipated celebrations of Eid al-Adha and several holiday days for the educational community.
As the situation unfolds at the border, vehicles are accumulating in the designated area, forming long lines as they await clearance to cross. Affected individuals have voiced their discontent, stating, "This is a disgrace." They argue that at a border that is supposed to be modern and efficient, such blockages should not occur, particularly during a time of heightened travel.
Critics point out that with the impending celebrations of Eid al-Adha, there should have been a strategic increase in personnel to facilitate a smoother passage, especially with the upcoming school holiday extending until Thursday, May 28. "This feels like something out of a third-world country," lamented one traveler.
While the border is experiencing delays for those crossing into Morocco, the situation at the port is not much better. There have been significant delays and waits for boarding, particularly following the cancellation of several sailings by DFDS due to a technical failure on the HSC Ceuta Jet, which operates the Algeciras-Ceuta route. With the holiday season approaching, many families have opted to travel to the Peninsula instead, further complicating the travel landscape.
According to communications from the ferry company early this morning, all Algeciras-Ceuta connections scheduled for 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM, as well as Ceuta-Algeciras departures at 12:00 PM and 3:30 PM, have been suspended until further notice. The company advises passengers to check the status of their journeys before heading to the port while they work to resolve the technical issue.
It raises the question of why additional personnel are needed at the Spanish border when the real congestion is occurring elsewhere.
As reported by elfarodeceuta.es.
