Protocol of Panic: Tens of Thousands Swim from Morocco to Ceuta

Europe awoke to dramatic scenes as tens of thousands of individuals attempted to swim from Morocco to the Spanish territory of Ceuta, overwhelming border defenses and sparking panic among European leaders. The unprecedented influx, described as an "absolute humanitarian catastrophe" by Ceuta's regional president, Juan Jesús Vivas, has raised fears of a new wave of migration.

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Viva España!

Reports indicate that over 1,500 migrants initially tried to swim around a pier to reach Ceuta, with reception centers already strained. Social media played a significant role, with groups in Morocco offering dry suits and swim fins, and advertising short-term apartment rentals in the border town of Fnideq. Videos circulating online falsely suggested that Spain had opened its borders to undocumented immigrants, further encouraging the mass movement.

The surge in migration appears to have been triggered by a Spanish court ruling that did not align with EU migration policies. Thousands of young people, some with families and small children, traveled north to Fnideq. Videos captured people jumping from moving truck beds, all converging on the Moroccan coast. On Thursday morning, thousands plunged into the sea, some using swim rings or wearing their clothes, aiming to circumvent the border fences. Upon arrival, many expressed euphoria, shouting "Viva España!"

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Morocco, no!

By Thursday afternoon, the situation escalated dramatically. Ceuta's president declared a national state of emergency, and reports of drownings emerged. Spain announced the deployment of military forces to support its border guards. By Thursday evening, the border was effectively breached, with tens of thousands of migrants entering Ceuta, a city of 83,000. This led to public disturbances, with churches and aid organizations attempting to provide assistance as thousands slept on the streets. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated her readiness for extraordinary measures to protect borders, even suggesting Spain's exclusion from the Schengen Area.

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Das kommt vor.