Thousands of migrants breach Spain's Ceuta border amid chaotic scenes

The Spanish enclave of Ceuta is experiencing a chaotic influx of thousands of migrants, predominantly from Morocco, who have crossed the border in large numbers. The situation has overwhelmed border control, described by a Civil Guard officers' association representative as having "essentially collapsed."

Rachid Sbihi, head of the Spanish Civil Guard officers' association in Ceuta, characterized the situation as "completely chaotic," with exact numbers of arrivals still unconfirmed but estimated in the thousands. Achraf Maimouni, a member of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights operating in northern Morocco, noted the unusual circumstances at the Tarajal border crossing that facilitated the mass movement.

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The situation is completely chaotic. The exact numbers are not yet available, but thousands of migrants are crossing the border. We can say that border control has essentially collapsed.

Video footage shows crowds, mostly young men but also families with children, navigating beach breakwaters to enter Ceuta. The surge in arrivals follows a significant increase in migrants attempting to reach the territory by sea earlier in the week. At least three individuals are reported to have died while trying to reach Spanish soil by sea, according to Sbihi and human rights activists.

While Moroccan authorities have not officially commented, Spain's Interior Ministry stated that Morocco is cooperating closely in managing the crisis. Both countries have agreed to expedite the return of individuals who entered Ceuta illegally. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska is scheduled to visit Ceuta to assess the situation. Local authorities in Ceuta have requested the central government declare a state of emergency and deploy military forces to bolster security and ensure border integrity.

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The Tarajal border crossing was opened this morning under unusual circumstances, leading people to start crossing the border.