Spanish King Expresses Indignation Over Ceuta Migrant Crisis, Calls for Prevention

King Felipe VI has voiced his "concern and indignation" over the "serious" events that transpired in the Spanish autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla, where an estimated 50,000 migrants entered irregularly from Morocco, many by swimming.

The Spanish monarch stressed the state's responsibility to safeguard the security of these cities. He called for measures that would convey Spain's united support and affection to the residents of Ceuta and Melilla. "The State must ensure their security and prevent these events – which have also resulted in the sad and tragic loss of dozens of lives – from happening again," the king stated.

During the crisis, King Felipe remained in contact with the presidents of both autonomous cities, as well as Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska asserted that the situation was reversed within 24 hours, with Ceuta returning to normal. However, Ceuta's president, Juan Jesús Vivas, countered that the city had not recovered, citing thousands of people still on the streets and declaring the crisis ongoing.

Prime Minister Sánchez has requested an urgent extraordinary meeting of EU interior ministers to address the migration crisis. In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other EU leaders, Sánchez expressed deep concern over the reactions of some European governments. Authorities have recovered 67 bodies along the coast of Ceuta since the mass influx began.

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The State must ensure their security and prevent these events – which have also resulted in the sad and tragic loss of dozens of lives – from happening again.