Spanish authorities were warned weeks before a mass migrant rush into the occupied city of Ceuta that growing sea arrivals, social media activity and a controversial court ruling could trigger a major escalation, according to border workers’ unions cited by Reuters.
More than 70,000 migrants entered or attempted to enter the Spanish enclave within 24 hours on July 29-30, according to Spanish authorities, in one of the largest migration surges seen at Ceuta’s border.
Spanish authorities said 80 people died, while Moroccan human rights council reported 14 deaths, bringing confirmed deaths to 94, mostly from drowning.
The rush followed a June 29 Spanish court ruling stating that migrants could only be immediately returned after crossing a physical barrier. The ruling was widely interpreted as allowing people reaching Ceuta by sea to avoid immediate pushbacks.
Rachid Sbihi, spokesperson for Spain’s Civil Guard union AUGC in Ceuta, told Reuters that authorities understood the ruling could encourage more arrivals, particularly when combined with criminal networks and social media.
Reuters reviewed six warnings issued by Spanish border unions to government representatives and police authorities following the ruling. On July 10, AUGC warned that the ruling had created a “legal loophole” requiring clear instructions for border officers.
Police union SUP later called for more personnel and warned that criminal networks were adapting their methods to changes in return procedures.
In a July 23 letter, SUP highlighted “constant arrivals by sea” and requested a temporary reception facility.
Spain’s Interior Ministry said authorities assessed several options after the court ruling and installed a floating maritime barrier on August 1, two days after the mass arrival.
Moroccan authorities have also faced scrutiny. Reuters reported that while increased crossing attempts were detected from mid-July, tighter controls around transport hubs were introduced only shortly before the mass rush.
Reuters report discredits attempts that blamed Morocco for the migrant rush.
Moroccan officials have argued that Spain’s migration policies create a powerful “pull factor”.
