Spain asks Frontex to process 5,000 Ceuta migrants amid unrest

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Spain asks Frontex to process 5,000 Ceuta migrants amid unrest

Spain has asked Frontex to help process some 5,000 migrants in Ceuta who crossed from Morocco a month ago. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska sent the request to the European Commission's migration director general on Friday. The request comes amid protests by Ceuta residents demanding the migrants leave.

Key Facts

Spain requested Frontex assistance to process approximately 5,000 migrants in Ceuta.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska sent the request to Beate Gminder, the European Commission's director general for migration and home affairs, on Friday.
Spanish authorities estimate between 5,000 and 8,000 migrants, including unaccompanied children, remain in Ceuta from the 72,000 who crossed on July 30.
The July 30 border rush killed 82 people on the Spanish side and 14 on the Moroccan side, according to official numbers.
Twelve migrants were arrested Thursday after stoning an army vehicle, injuring one soldier and four migrants.

Frontex Request

Spain has asked Europe's Border and Coastguard Agency, Frontex, for help to process some 5,000 migrants in Ceuta who crossed into the North African territory one month ago. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska sent the request to Beate Gminder, the European Commission's director general for migration and home affairs, on Friday. Grande-Marlaska also requested an extra 10 Frontex officers to speed up screening efforts. Spanish authorities must identify those remaining in Ceuta to establish whether they are entitled to international protection or, if not, begin procedures for their return.

Ceuta Unrest

Spain's request comes amid rising tensions in Ceuta, after a series of protests by residents who have demanded the migrants leave. Tents on Trampolin Beach, where many migrants have been camping, have been attacked and set on fire. Twelve migrants were arrested on Thursday after stoning an army vehicle, injuring one soldier and four migrants. Eleven were expelled from Ceuta, El Pais newspaper reported on Friday, citing sources from the city's main court. On Tuesday, Madrid made a formal request for emergency funding from the EU to help address the situation.

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Spain asks Frontex to process 5,000 Ceuta migrants amid unrest

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Politics

Up to 5,000 migrants remain in Ceuta after border crisis, enclave leader tells EU Parliament

Juan Jesús Vivas, leader of the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, said Thursday that between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants remain in the territory after a record influx of some 78,000 people from Morocco last week. He expressed profound sorrow over the deaths of 100 people during the crossings and criticized Madrid's response as late and insufficient. His remarks came as new calls for mass border crossings circulated on social media, according to Moroccan media.

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Spain buries first of 82 migrants killed in Ceuta border rush

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Spain asks Frontex to process 5,000 Ceuta migrants amid unrest

Key Facts

Frontex Request

Ceuta Unrest

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