Videos circulating online appear to show migrants attempting to enter buildings in Ceuta as the border crisis with Morocco intensified overnight, with footage showing groups moving through streets and trying to gain access to both occupied and unoccupied properties.
The videos, which have spread across social media, show migrants gathered around buildings and attempting to force their way inside. It is not immediately clear how many of the properties were occupied at the time or whether any residents were inside.
The scenes come hours after Spain announced it would deploy military support to Ceuta following a major surge of migrants crossing into the Spanish territory. Authorities said thousands of people had entered the enclave, while at least nine people died during the chaos.
Spanish officials have not yet confirmed details surrounding the overnight incidents shown in the videos, but local authorities have warned that the territory’s resources have been heavily strained as arrivals continue. The videos come from Spanish journalist David Santos, who also posted video showing apparently migrants burning vehickes on the streets.
Earlier footage from the border showed large groups of migrants crossing into Ceuta from Morocco, including young men as well as families with children. Rachid Sbihi, head of the association representing Spanish Civil Guard officers in Ceuta, described the situation as overwhelming.
“The situation is absolute chaos,” Sbihi told The Associated Press. “It’s not possible to give precise numbers, but there are thousands of migrants crossing,” he said, adding that the border had “totally collapsed.”
Reports have also emerged claiming that migrants may have begun entering Spain’s other North African enclave, Melilla. Spanish authorities have not yet confirmed those reports, though severeal videos have come in.
The Spanish government announced Thursday that the Armed Forces would assist the Civil Guard in “maintain security in the city of Ceuta” after local officials requested additional support.
Ceuta regional leader Juan Jesús Vivas had called for more resources at the border, saying authorities needed additional personnel to maintain security and manage the large number of arrivals.
The videos, which have spread across social media, show migrants gathered around buildings and attempting to force their way inside. It is not immediately clear how many of the properties were occupied at the time or whether any residents were inside.
The scenes come hours after Spain announced it would deploy military support to Ceuta following a major surge of migrants crossing into the Spanish territory. Authorities said thousands of people had entered the enclave, while at least nine people died during the chaos.
Spanish officials have not yet confirmed details surrounding the overnight incidents shown in the videos, but local authorities have warned that the territory’s resources have been heavily strained as arrivals continue. The videos come from Spanish journalist David Santos, who also posted video showing apparently migrants burning vehickes on the streets.
Earlier footage from the border showed large groups of migrants crossing into Ceuta from Morocco, including young men as well as families with children. Rachid Sbihi, head of the association representing Spanish Civil Guard officers in Ceuta, described the situation as overwhelming.
“The situation is absolute chaos,” Sbihi told The Associated Press. “It’s not possible to give precise numbers, but there are thousands of migrants crossing,” he said, adding that the border had “totally collapsed.”
Reports have also emerged claiming that migrants may have begun entering Spain’s other North African enclave, Melilla. Spanish authorities have not yet confirmed those reports, though severeal videos have come in.
The Spanish government announced Thursday that the Armed Forces would assist the Civil Guard in “maintain security in the city of Ceuta” after local officials requested additional support.
Ceuta regional leader Juan Jesús Vivas had called for more resources at the border, saying authorities needed additional personnel to maintain security and manage the large number of arrivals.
