MADRID, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Spanish authorities in the North African enclave of Ceuta on Thursday called on the central government to strengthen its response after a surge in irregular migrant arrivals from neighboring Morocco overwhelmed the city's reception capacity.
Juan Jesus Vivas, president of the autonomous city of Ceuta, urged Madrid to declare a "national emergency" and establish a unified command to coordinate the response, describing the situation as a humanitarian and social emergency.
According to local authorities, around 1,500 migrants have entered Ceuta over the past week, with about 300 arrivals recorded each day. Most crossed the border by swimming around the coastal frontier from Morocco. The influx has severely strained local reception facilities, particularly those for unaccompanied minors, leaving many new arrivals without adequate accommodation.
Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska is expected to travel to Ceuta on Friday to assess the situation and coordinate the government's response. The Interior Ministry said Morocco is cooperating with Spain in efforts to curb irregular migration, but rejected calls to declare a national emergency, arguing that migratory pressure is not covered under Spain's Civil Protection Law.
Ceuta and Melilla, Spain's two autonomous cities on the North African coast, have long been among the European Union's main external land borders with Africa and remain key entry points for migrants attempting to reach Europe. ■