The EU has commended Spain's 'swift response' to a migrant crisis in Ceuta, after Spain said around 70,000 of the 72,000 people who entered illegally last week were returned to Morocco.
Key facts
- About 72,000 people entered Ceuta illegally last week, according to Spain.
- Spain says roughly 70,000 of those people have been returned to Morocco.
- The EU praised Spain's 'swift response' to the crisis.
The European Union has commended Spain for what it described as a ‘swift response’ to a major migrant crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, according to the BBC.
Spanish authorities said that about 72,000 people entered Ceuta illegally over the course of last week, marking a significant surge in arrivals to the North African territory.
According to Spain, roughly 70,000 of those who arrived have since been returned to Morocco, leaving a much smaller number remaining in the enclave.
The scale of the returns underpinned the EU’s positive assessment of how Spain managed the influx, with the bloc highlighting the speed of the country’s actions.
Ceuta, a Spanish enclave bordering Morocco in North Africa, sits on one of the migration routes between the African continent and Europe, making it a focal point during surges in arrivals.
Why it matters
The management of migration at Europe's borders remains a politically sensitive issue across the EU. How Spain handled the sudden arrival of tens of thousands of people in Ceuta, and the EU's endorsement of that response, carries weight for wider European debates on border control and cooperation with neighbouring countries.
Frequently asked questions
How many people entered Ceuta illegally?
According to Spain, about 72,000 people entered Ceuta illegally last week.
How many were returned to Morocco?
Spain says roughly 70,000 of the 72,000 people who arrived have been returned to Morocco.
How did the EU respond?
The EU commended Spain's 'swift response' to the crisis, according to the BBC.