Spain’s Ceuta declares humanitarian emergency after thousands of migrants swim in from Morocco

Spanish authorities in the North African enclave of Ceuta have declared a humanitarian emergency after thousandsof migrants entered the territory from neighbouring Morocco.

Spain’s national broadcaster, TVE, reported that between 2,000 and 3,000 people had crossed into Ceuta on Thursday, July 30, while the state news agency, Efe, said some had entered the territory by scaling the high border fence.

Local authorities said the migrants entered Ceuta by swimming from the Moroccan coast, primarily around the Tarajal breakwater and the border barriers.

The sudden surge has overwhelmed local reception centres and prompted authorities to declare a humanitarian emergency.