Hundreds of migrants who recently arrived in Ceuta, Spain’s North African enclave, took to a popular urban beach on Sunday to demand asylum from Spanish authorities rather than being sent back to Morocco. These individuals are part of the 5,000 to 8,000 migrants who remained in Ceuta after a mass border crossing two weeks ago, during which over 72,000 people entered the small territory with about 80,000 inhabitants. While the majority of migrants voluntarily returned in the days following the surge, those left behind are living in challenging conditions on El Trampolin beach and the outskirts of the city, hoping for an opportunity to continue their journey to continental Europe.
Ayoub Elarroud, hailing from Tetouan, Morocco, expressed the hardships faced by migrants, including sleeping near the sea in cold and unhygienic conditions, with police preventing them from accessing the city center. The protesters displayed Spanish flags and banners with messages such as “We don’t want to go back to Morocco” and “We are also human,” voicing their exhaustion and the need for a solution.
Meanwhile, Ceuta’s healthcare services are strained, with Enrique Roviralta, the head of the city’s medical board, highlighting the exhaustion of limited healthcare workers and criticizing the slow response by the central government. Incidences of infectious diseases like diarrhea and scabies, as well as violence-related injuries such as broken noses and stab wounds, are on the rise among migrants.
Despite the pressure on local health services, Health Minister Monica Garcia denied claims of a collapse but acknowledged the strain. She denounced the association of migration with illness as unjust and xenophobic, noting a moderate risk of epidemic outbreaks among migrants and a low risk among residents.
In interviews, Moroccan migrants shared their motivations for leaving, citing poor working conditions and limited opportunities in their home country. Many, like automation specialist Mohammed Ouanzar, struggled to afford basic necessities despite their qualifications. These migrants expressed determination to build a better life in Europe, with some recounting arduous journeys across multiple countries to reach Ceuta.
The migrants’ stories reflect a mix of economic hardship, persecution, and the pursuit of a better future, underscoring the complex challenges faced by those seeking asylum and opportunities in a new land.