Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares made a statement regarding the irregular migration movement from Morocco to Ceuta. In a post on his social media account, Albares stated that almost all of the migrants who entered the area had returned to Morocco. Albares emphasized that the integrity of the Schengen Area is completely secure and said, "Put an end to deliberate disinformation."
Albares also added that it is not possible to travel from Ceuta and Melilla to the Spanish mainland without police checks and identification.
European Union Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner announced that he spoke with Albares by phone. Brunner stated that during the call, Albares conveyed that as a result of the efforts carried out, "almost all" irregular migrants heading to Ceuta had returned. Stressing that "not a single person managed to reach the EU mainland," Brunner said, "We will maintain close contact and are in communication with ministers across Europe."
Background
On Thursday, July 30, authorities intervened as more than 800 irregular migrants attempted to swim from the coast of the Moroccan town of Fnideq to Ceuta, Spain's territory in North Africa. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that the government had mobilized all available resources in response.
The Spanish government had decided to deploy armed forces to the area following an increase in irregular migration attempts toward Ceuta. The government also announced that the number of people who crossed into Ceuta by swimming or walking in the last 24 hours was estimated at over 49,000.
