EU provides emergency aid to Spain after the massive influx of migrants in Ceuta

On Wednesday, the European Union granted Spain emergency aid worth €114.7 million to manage the crisis in the exclave of Ceuta, following the arrival of approximately 70,000 migrants from Morocco at the end of July.

The funds will be used to strengthen border surveillance, purchase equipment, including thermal-imaging cameras, and deploy additional personnel. Brussels will also support the return of people staying illegally in Ceuta and expand reception capacity for unaccompanied minors.

The migrants entered the enclave on July 30 and 31, on foot or by swimming. The influx resulted in dozens of deaths and disappearances. Although most people subsequently left the territory, between 5,000 and 10,000 migrants are still in Ceuta, according to estimates by central and local authorities.

The enclave’s president, Juan Jesús Vivas, called for a permanent European Union presence, including through the Frontex agency, and accused Morocco of allowing or causing the crisis. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, however, said that intelligence services had not presented solid evidence of the involvement of Moroccan authorities.

Spanish justice authorities have opened an investigation after the publication of a report highlighting the “permissiveness” of Moroccan security forces during the influx.