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Over 80 migrants swim to Ceuta amid summer surge in irregular crossings
More than 80 migrants swam to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta over the weekend, marking the summer’s largest wave of irregular crossings. The group, which included at least 50 Moroccan and Palestinian minors, braved hazardous sea conditions, with strong swells and dense coastal fog complicating rescue efforts.
Spanish authorities, including maritime units and divers from the Civil Guard’s Special Underwater Activities Group (GEAS), conducted extensive rescue operations from Friday afternoon through Saturday night. Official reports confirmed the rescue of 54 minors and approximately 30 adults, most of whom were Moroccan, alongside a smaller number of Palestinians.
Minors scatter across Ceuta
Despite heightened security measures, some minors managed to escape into various neighborhoods of Ceuta, suggesting that the true number of arrivals may exceed official figures. Authorities promptly transferred many rescued children to temporary reception centers and called for emergency assistance from the central government to manage the influx.
Seasonal migration surge
August has historically seen a rise in migration attempts to Ceuta, driven by factors such as poverty and unemployment in the region. Migrants often use dense coastal fog, common during this period along Morocco’s northern coast, to evade maritime radar systems and attempt undetected crossings.
Morocco’s efforts to curb irregular migration
Morocco has ramped up its response to irregular migration, preventing 78,685 attempts in 2024 alone. Authorities dismantled 332 human trafficking networks during the same year, with West African migrants accounting for 58% of intercepted individuals. Migrants from the Maghreb and East and Central Africa represented 12% and 9%, respectively. These efforts highlight Morocco’s commitment to addressing migration flows and combating human trafficking networks.
