54 Moroccan minors swim to Ceuta during overnight storm
Stormy Seas Can't Deter Minors: 54 Moroccan Youths Swim to Ceuta
Unaccompanied youths reach Spanish enclave amid rough conditions, raising migrant numbers in city beyond capacity.
Ceuta, Spain - Fifty-four unaccompanied Moroccan minors swam into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Friday night, braving stormy weather and rough seas to reach El Tarajal and Benzú coastal areas. The Civil Guard conducted rescue operations overnight as some youths arrived using only life rafts.
This latest surge brings the total number of migrant minors under Ceuta's care to 514, significantly exceeding the city's capacity of 132. Local officials have declared the situation "a matter of state," urgently requesting intervention from Spain’s central government. Authorities have deployed additional local police officers to locate unregistered minors and enhance patrols along Ceuta's southern coastline to prevent further crossings.
The timing of this influx is particularly sensitive, coming just four days before the start of Ceuta's annual summer fair. This event typically coincides with "Operation Feriante," a law enforcement campaign focused on inspecting vehicles boarding ferries to Algeciras, as minors often attempt to hide aboard rides to cross into mainland Spain.
A Growing Trend
This incident reflects a larger trend of irregular sea arrivals from Morocco in the first half of 2025. Between January and May:
- Approximately 797 Moroccans reached Spain via the Western Mediterranean route (Ceuta, Melilla, and southern mainland), accounting for 16.5% of all arrivals on that route.
- 725 Moroccans arrived in the Canary Islands via the perilous Atlantic corridor, representing 6.6% of arrivals on that route.