Spain has installed a floating barrier in Ceuta to keep Africans out with the ongoing migrant “invasion”.
The 500-metre containment barrier has been placed along the sea border between Ceuta and Morocco after the onrush of migrants that caused dozens of deaths and forced businesses to close.
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Civil Guard officers began work early on Saturday at the Tarajal breakwater – a stretch of water that has been heavily used by migrants in recent weeks.
Authorities have confirmed “virtually all” of the 60,000 migrants that stormed Spain’s North African enclave have left voluntarily, returning to Morocco.
European Union governments have demanded an emergency response.
Spanish officials have confirmed there are 77 reported casualties from the storming; however, they have warned the number could rise due to deaths on the Moroccan side of the border.
On Saturday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote on X: “Defending the external borders of the Union is not the interest of a single Nation. It is a shared responsibility of Europe.”
Ireland said it would convene the meeting on Tuesday of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council, chaired by Irish Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Minister Jim O’Callaghan.
Spain’s Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said about 50,000 people had crossed the border from Morocco to Ceuta since Thursday morning and estimated 48,300 people had returned by 4pm on Friday.
A joint letter signed by 22 member states has called for a unified response and the reinforcement of the EU’s external borders.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wrote to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressing “serious concerns” about the behaviour of certain EU governments.
He insisted Madrid had regained full control of the border and stopped any “unauthorised onward movement towards continental Europe” within just two days.
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Mr Sánchez acknowledged most member states had demonstrated “support and solidarity” but accused others of targeting Spain, “driven by prejudice, fake news, ignorance, or political interest”.
Moroccan police in riot gear used tear gas and water cannon trucks at the border on Friday night to disperse people gathered near the fences.
“Honestly, I don’t even know why I came, and now I’m going back,” a young Moroccan man, who said he was from Tangier, told Reuters.
“I haven’t eaten since lunch yesterday, even though I brought some money with me … What we’re doing is neither good nor enjoyable.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed he had been in direct contact with Mr Sánchez and that Britain was “providing what help we can”.
“I know people will see those scenes and want something to be done,” Mr Burnham said.
“What I have done is keep the current Home Secretary in place, because the plan she has implemented has started to make a difference.”
Shabana Mahmood has pledged to get to grips with Britain’s migrant crisis, despite protests from Labour’s backbenches.
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