Spain, Morocco Reinforce Ceuta Border Amid Fears of New Migrant Surge

Spain and Morocco have reinforced security along the border of the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, following social media calls for another mass migrant crossing on Saturday, August 15.

Hundreds of troops and police have been deployed to the area amid fears of a surge similar to the one on July 30-31, when an estimated 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta. Morocco has also deployed troops and installed new barbed wire. Border workers had warned Spanish authorities weeks before the July influx about rising arrivals, but little action was taken, according to Reuters.

A Spanish court ruling on June 29 stated migrants could only be immediately pushed back if they crossed a physical barrier, not if they swam to the enclave, which reportedly encouraged more attempts. Spain's government blamed misinformation about the ruling for the July rush, while Moroccan authorities recovered 14 bodies from their territory. At least 96 deaths were confirmed in total.

Many of the migrants who entered Ceuta have since returned to Morocco, but up to 11,000 are estimated to remain, leading to reports of disease outbreaks like gastroenteritis, scabies, and impetigo among them. Some migrants are sleeping outdoors due to overwhelmed reception facilities. Instagram accounts are reportedly driving the influx by portraying the crossing as easy and charging fees for advice.