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Spain Faces Record Migrant Influx from Morocco

Published May 20th, 2021 - 07:48 GMT

Migrants tried to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave. Record 8,000 people poured over the border this week, escalating tensions between Rabat and Madrid.

Some tried to swim across to beaches patrolled by police after the unprecedented wave of arrivals earlier this week.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has vowed to "restore order" in Ceuta, and on Wednesday accused Morocco of "disrespect" after the influx.

Some 5,600 migrants had already been sent back, Madrid said, but that did not stop more from trying to make the risky crossing Wednesday.

"Ceuta is Europe, this border is a European border and what happens there is not a problem for Madrid, but a problem for all" Europeans."

The record numbers of migrant arrivals have sent diplomatic tensions soaring between Madrid and Rabat.

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A migrant throws a rock onto a burning motorbike as they clash with Moroccan riot police in protest at being stopped from crossing the border, in the northern town of Fnideq, close to the border between Morocco and Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Migrants were still trying to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021, after a record 8,000 people poured over the border this week, escalating tensions between Rabat and Madrid

A migrant throws a rock onto a burning motorbike as they clash with Moroccan riot police in protest at being stopped from crossing the border, in the northern town of Fnideq, close to the border between Morocco and Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Migrants were still trying to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021, after a record 8,000 people poured over the border this week, escalating tensions between Rabat and Madrid. Some 5,600 migrants had already been sent back, Madrid said, but that did not stop more from trying to make the risky crossing. FADEL SENNA / AFP

Migrants burn a skip during clashes with Moroccan riot police in the northern town of Fnideq, close to the border between Morocco and Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Migrants were still trying to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021, after a record 8,000 people poured over the border this week, escalating tensions between Rabat and Madrid. Some 5,600 migrants had already been sent back, Madrid said

Migrants burn a skip during clashes with Moroccan riot police in the northern town of Fnideq, close to the border between Morocco and Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Migrants were still trying to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021, after a record 8,000 people poured over the border this week, escalating tensions between Rabat and Madrid. Some 5,600 migrants had already been sent back, Madrid said, but that did not stop more from trying to make the risky crossing. FADEL SENNA / AFP

Migrants burn a motorbike as they clash with Moroccan riot police

Migrants burn a motorbike as they clash with Moroccan riot police in protest at being stopped from crossing the border, in the northern town of Fnideq, close to the border between Morocco and Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Migrants were still trying to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021, after a record 8,000 people poured over the border this week, escalating tensions between Rabat and Madrid. Some 5,600 migrants had already been sent back, Madrid said, but that did not stop more from trying to make the risky crossing. FADEL SENNA / AFP

A Moroccan riot police throws a rock back at migrants during light clashes in the northern town of Fnideq, close to the border between Morocco and Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Migrants were still trying to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021, after a record 8,000 people poured over the border this week, escalating tensions between Rabat and Madrid. Some 5,600 migrants had already been sent back

A Moroccan riot police throws a rock back at migrants during light clashes in the northern town of Fnideq, close to the border between Morocco and Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Migrants were still trying to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021, after a record 8,000 people poured over the border this week, escalating tensions between Rabat and Madrid. Some 5,600 migrants had already been sent back, Madrid said, but that did not stop more from trying to make the risky crossing. FADEL SENNA / AFP

Migants climb a sea wall in the northern town of Fnideq after attempting to cross the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat as its prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to "restore order" in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco

Migants climb a sea wall in the northern town of Fnideq after attempting to cross the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat as its prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to "restore order" in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco. FADEL SENNA / AFP

Moroccan police speak to a migrant as he stands on a sea wall in the northern town of Fnideq after attempting to cross the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat as its prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to "restore order" in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco.

Moroccan police speak to a migrant as he stands on a sea wall in the northern town of Fnideq after attempting to cross the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat as its prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to "restore order" in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco. FADEL SENNA / AFP

Moroccan migrants save a subsaharian migrant who had difficulty in the water as he attemped to swim from the northern town of Fnideq across the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat as its prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to "restore order" in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco

Moroccan migrants save a subsaharian migrant who had difficulty in the water as he attemped to swim from the northern town of Fnideq across the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat as its prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to "restore order" in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco. FADEL SENNA / AFP

Subsaharian migants wait near the sea in the northern town of Fnideq as they attempt to cross the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat as its prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to "restore order" in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco

Subsaharian migants wait near the sea in the northern town of Fnideq as they attempt to cross the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat as its prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to "restore order" in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco. FADEL SENNA / AFP

Subsaharian migants sit on a sea wall in the northern town of Fnideq as they attempt to cross the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat as its prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to "restore order" in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco

Subsaharian migants sit on a sea wall in the northern town of Fnideq as they attempt to cross the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat as its prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to "restore order" in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco. FADEL SENNA / AFP

A migrant throws a rock onto a burning motorbike as they clash with Moroccan riot police in protest at being stopped from crossing the border, in the northern town of Fnideq, close to the border between Morocco and Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Migrants were still trying to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021, after a record 8,000 people poured over the border this week, escalating tensions between Rabat and Madrid
Migrants burn a skip during clashes with Moroccan riot police in the northern town of Fnideq, close to the border between Morocco and Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Migrants were still trying to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021, after a record 8,000 people poured over the border this week, escalating tensions between Rabat and Madrid. Some 5,600 migrants had already been sent back, Madrid said
Migrants burn a motorbike as they clash with Moroccan riot police
A Moroccan riot police throws a rock back at migrants during light clashes in the northern town of Fnideq, close to the border between Morocco and Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Migrants were still trying to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021, after a record 8,000 people poured over the border this week, escalating tensions between Rabat and Madrid. Some 5,600 migrants had already been sent back
Migants climb a sea wall in the northern town of Fnideq after attempting to cross the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat as its prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to "restore order" in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco
Moroccan police speak to a migrant as he stands on a sea wall in the northern town of Fnideq after attempting to cross the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat as its prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to "restore order" in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco.
Moroccan migrants save a subsaharian migrant who had difficulty in the water as he attemped to swim from the northern town of Fnideq across the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat as its prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to "restore order" in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco
Subsaharian migants wait near the sea in the northern town of Fnideq as they attempt to cross the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat as its prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to "restore order" in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco
Subsaharian migants sit on a sea wall in the northern town of Fnideq as they attempt to cross the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat as its prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to "restore order" in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco
A migrant throws a rock onto a burning motorbike as they clash with Moroccan riot police in protest at being stopped from crossing the border, in the northern town of Fnideq, close to the border between Morocco and Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Migrants were still trying to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021, after a record 8,000 people poured over the border this week, escalating tensions between Rabat and Madrid
A migrant throws a rock onto a burning motorbike as they clash with Moroccan riot police in protest at being stopped from crossing the border, in the northern town of Fnideq, close to the border between Morocco and Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Migrants were still trying to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021, after a record 8,000 people poured over the border this week, escalating tensions between Rabat and Madrid. Some 5,600 migrants had already been sent back, Madrid said, but that did not stop more from trying to make the risky crossing. FADEL SENNA / AFP
Migrants burn a skip during clashes with Moroccan riot police in the northern town of Fnideq, close to the border between Morocco and Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Migrants were still trying to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021, after a record 8,000 people poured over the border this week, escalating tensions between Rabat and Madrid. Some 5,600 migrants had already been sent back, Madrid said
Migrants burn a skip during clashes with Moroccan riot police in the northern town of Fnideq, close to the border between Morocco and Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Migrants were still trying to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021, after a record 8,000 people poured over the border this week, escalating tensions between Rabat and Madrid. Some 5,600 migrants had already been sent back, Madrid said, but that did not stop more from trying to make the risky crossing. FADEL SENNA / AFP
Migrants burn a motorbike as they clash with Moroccan riot police
Migrants burn a motorbike as they clash with Moroccan riot police in protest at being stopped from crossing the border, in the northern town of Fnideq, close to the border between Morocco and Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Migrants were still trying to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021, after a record 8,000 people poured over the border this week, escalating tensions between Rabat and Madrid. Some 5,600 migrants had already been sent back, Madrid said, but that did not stop more from trying to make the risky crossing. FADEL SENNA / AFP
A Moroccan riot police throws a rock back at migrants during light clashes in the northern town of Fnideq, close to the border between Morocco and Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Migrants were still trying to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021, after a record 8,000 people poured over the border this week, escalating tensions between Rabat and Madrid. Some 5,600 migrants had already been sent back
A Moroccan riot police throws a rock back at migrants during light clashes in the northern town of Fnideq, close to the border between Morocco and Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Migrants were still trying to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021, after a record 8,000 people poured over the border this week, escalating tensions between Rabat and Madrid. Some 5,600 migrants had already been sent back, Madrid said, but that did not stop more from trying to make the risky crossing. FADEL SENNA / AFP
Migants climb a sea wall in the northern town of Fnideq after attempting to cross the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat as its prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to "restore order" in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco
Migants climb a sea wall in the northern town of Fnideq after attempting to cross the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat as its prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to "restore order" in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco. FADEL SENNA / AFP
Moroccan police speak to a migrant as he stands on a sea wall in the northern town of Fnideq after attempting to cross the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat as its prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to "restore order" in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco.
Moroccan police speak to a migrant as he stands on a sea wall in the northern town of Fnideq after attempting to cross the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat as its prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to "restore order" in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco. FADEL SENNA / AFP
Moroccan migrants save a subsaharian migrant who had difficulty in the water as he attemped to swim from the northern town of Fnideq across the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat as its prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to "restore order" in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco
Moroccan migrants save a subsaharian migrant who had difficulty in the water as he attemped to swim from the northern town of Fnideq across the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat as its prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to "restore order" in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco. FADEL SENNA / AFP
Subsaharian migants wait near the sea in the northern town of Fnideq as they attempt to cross the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat as its prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to "restore order" in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco
Subsaharian migants wait near the sea in the northern town of Fnideq as they attempt to cross the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat as its prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to "restore order" in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco. FADEL SENNA / AFP
Subsaharian migants sit on a sea wall in the northern town of Fnideq as they attempt to cross the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat as its prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to "restore order" in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco
Subsaharian migants sit on a sea wall in the northern town of Fnideq as they attempt to cross the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 19, 2021. Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat as its prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to "restore order" in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco. FADEL SENNA / AFP

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