Thousands of migrants remain in Ceuta beach camps, health warnings issued

In late May 2024, a mass influx of migrants occurred in Ceuta, a Spanish exclave in North Africa, when tens of thousands crossed the border from Morocco within 24 hours. The event was triggered by a Spanish Supreme Court ruling that prohibited the pushback of migrants who arrived by sea, allowing them to circumvent border controls by wading into the water and re-entering on the Spanish side. Additionally, the Spanish government's amnesty campaign, which aimed to regularize up to a million undocumented migrants, was seen as a pull factor. The influx overwhelmed the city's infrastructure, and weeks later, thousands of migrants remained, with many living in makeshift huts on the beach. The unsanitary conditions, including lack of sanitation and limited food, led to warnings from health officials about potential outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, tuberculosis, and measles. Local doctors reported treating hundreds of patients daily. The situation also raised security concerns, with arrests for terrorism and sexual assault. The Spanish government planned to send a team to establish temporary accommodations, while Morocco arrested individuals attempting to cross the border, indicating a potential second wave. The crisis highlighted the challenges of migration management and the need for improved conditions to prevent health and security issues.