The spokesperson for the government of Ceuta, Alejandro Ramirez, said he was “concerned” about renewed calls on Moroccan social media accounts for a new mass entry into the Spanish exclave planned for August 15.

“Obviously, after what happened, it is worrying that these voices are circulating on social media,” Ramirez said at a press conference held after a meeting of the Council of Government. He said the local government has reported “these messages” to the “competent authorities so they can take them into account should something similar occur.” “We hope that will not be the case,” the spokesperson added. In recent days posts have begun circulating, mainly on TikTok and WhatsApp, inviting people to join messaging groups created to coordinate a collective attempt to cross into the autonomous city on August 15.

Death toll

With the discovery of three more bodies, the number of dead among the migrants who recently tried to reach Ceuta by swimming has risen to 75, the Spanish government delegation in the exclave in Morocco reported, while the city government says the toll is 88 victims.

“Arrivals have stopped completely,” said Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, giving the latest official figures on migrant arrivals in Ceuta. According to the government, 72,000 people have reached the exclave and of those 70,000 have already returned.

Spain: “Italy should lift border controls as soon as possible”

Minister Grande-Marlaska called Italy’s decision to temporarily suspend the Schengen agreement with Spain and reintroduce airport controls in response to the Ceuta crisis “unnecessary and disproportionate.” The Spanish minister urged Italy to revoke the border checks “as soon as possible”. “The Schengen area has not in any way been compromised. It has been clarified that Ceuta has a special regime within Schengen and that no one can leave Ceuta without an effective check,” Marlaska added after the informal Home Affairs Council held by videoconference.

What Piantedosi said

The Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi began his remarks at the informal Home Affairs Council by expressing “sincere solidarity” to Spain for what happened in Ceuta. “First of all,” he said, “I wish to convey to the Spanish government Italy’s sincere solidarity. At the same time, I want to make clear the nature of our decision to temporarily restore internal air and sea border controls: it is in no way a measure directed against Spain or any other partner.”

“It is a precautionary and organizational choice intended to safeguard national security and the resilience of the entire European control system at a time of strong pressure, as has occurred in many other cases,” Piantedosi explained.

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