Spain searches for thousands of undocumented migrants in Ceuta

Spain’s Civil Guard is seeking to establish the whereabouts of around 6,000 undocumented migrants in Ceuta, Spanish broadcaster reported, citing the president of the city’s government, Juan Jesús Vivas.

Vivas questioned why authorities still do not have an exact figure for the number of people remaining in Ceuta, why not all migrants had been identified, and why deportation procedures had not yet begun.

He said around 6,000 undocumented migrants were currently in Ceuta, while Spanish authorities estimate the figure at between 2,000 and 3,000. According to Vivas, the Civil Guard is actively returning Moroccan nationals across the border.

“Someone thinks it is possible to gather 70,000 or 80,000 people without the local authorities — I mean the Moroccan authorities — noticing. Is that possible? The truth is that common sense suggests it is impossible,” Vivas said.

Spanish authorities said that at the end of July, around 72,000 undocumented migrants reached Ceuta by swimming or on foot after bypassing the breakwater separating the city from Morocco. Madrid decided to deploy military personnel to assist with security measures in the area.

The Spanish government said at least 75 people had died while attempting to reach Ceuta, while Rabat reported 11 deaths. Authorities estimate that around 70,000 migrants have already returned to Morocco.