Hundreds of illegal immigrants swim into Europe here

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Published August 27, 2024 at 11:44 a.m.

Foreign. Hundreds of illegal immigrants took advantage of dense fog on Sunday and early Monday to swim to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco. Reuters reports.

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Ceuta, along with Melilla, are Spain's two enclaves on Morocco's Mediterranean coast and form the only land borders between the EU and Africa. These areas are regular targets for Third World migrants trying to cross illegally into Europe.

Many of the migrants who arrived were stopped near or on El Tarajal beach, which is on the border between Ceuta and Morocco. A spokesperson for Spain's Guardia Civil police force confirmed they were working with Moroccan authorities to deal with the increased pressure, but declined to say exactly how many people tried to cross the border or were sent back to Morocco.

NEW – Scores of illegal migrants swimming to the Spanish enclave Ceuta from Morocco.pic .twitter.com/Lnhc81xjey

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Cristina Perez, the representative of the Spanish government in Ceuta, states that the police have stopped an average of around 700 immigrants per day trying to enter Ceuta since last Thursday. During Sunday night, up to 1,500 people are said to have made an attempt to reach the enclave.

Moroccan citizens who are arrested are immediately sent back to Morocco, unless they are minors or seeking asylum, according to Perez. People of other nationalities are placed in special centers and released after a few days.

An unknown number of people have also managed to enter the enclave without being caught by the police, according to a spokesperson for Perez's office.

Two years ago, 23 people died in a mass panic when around 2,000 migrants tried to storm Melilla by tearing down the border fence.