Then, according to Spanish authorities, 72,000 people made it ashore in Ceuta on the North African Mediterranean coast using various flotation devices or by swimming around the barriers between Morocco and Ceuta. 75 died, according to updated information from the Spanish delegation in Ceuta. Some drowned, others were trampled in the commotion at one of the barriers to Ceuta. Around 70,000 of the 72,000 who arrived have already been returned to Morocco.
Biggest in 20 years
According to the European Commission, it was the largest border crossing in one day in 20 years, says Forssell after the video meeting with the EU countries' ministers responsible for migration.
Thanks to the resolute action of the Spanish authorities, many are back in Morocco, says Forssell, but he believes that what happened will be discussed for a long time, and at more meetings.
Denmark, which together with Italy requested the extraordinary meeting, was very critical of Spain initially. Twenty other EU countries, including Sweden, joined the criticism and the demand for an extraordinary meeting. From having proposed to exclude Spain from Schengen, the free movement within the EU, Denmark is now moving to praise Spain's actions.
"I am very pleased that Spain acted quickly and sent police and military and that many migrants have already returned to Morocco," said Morten Bødskov, Danish Minister of Migration and Integration, in a statement.
Several reasons
Johan Forsell now also says that there may be several reasons, other than Spanish migration policy, that may have played a role.
I think there have been some descriptions of Spanish politics that have not been accurate.
Earlier this year, Spain allowed immigrants who had been in the country without permission for at least five months to apply for residency, a decision that some point to as a reason for the events in Ceuta. The application period for the amnesty expired in June, and 1.2 million people have submitted applications.
Most observers and analysts who have spoken out have highlighted a combination of factors, in addition to Spanish migration policy. One is that Morocco has several reasons to put pressure on Spain and use migration as a weapon. This also happened in 2021, for example. Another is that smugglers have pushed and spread false information about the possibilities of getting to Spain and the EU. Although Ceuta is a Spanish exclave, it is not possible to travel from there to Spain without a passport and visa.
