PELTED with rocks by Moroccan riot cops, a teenage migrant plunges into the waves as he attempts to swim from Africa to European territory.
The half-hearted attempts to stop the lad were in vain.
Moroccan riot cops spot the migrant as he steps onto land in Ceuta Credit: The Jattvibe
The teen plunges into the water after a cop runs at him on the beachfront Credit: The Jattvibe
Soon he was striking out into the Strait of Gibraltar in the wake of 60,000 others who have already reached the Spanish exclave of Ceuta since Thursday.
In febrile and chaotic scenes on Saturday at the EU’s new migration ground zero, dozens of other migrants clambered over rocks on the shoreline attempting to circumvent border fences.
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While four more clung to a rubber ring as they splashed towards the Spanish territory which is the EU’s land frontier with Africa.
Spain says the number of people who have died in the surge has risen to 67.
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Migrants clambered over rocks on the shoreline attempting to circumvent border fences Credit: Getty
Since Thursday, 60,000 people surged into the Spanish enclave Credit: Reuters
Early on Saturday morning Moroccan riot police armed with clubs and shields pushed back hundreds of migrants massed close to the border using armoured vehicles.
Soon the mood turned ugly. Migrants began erecting barricades in the street using railings and discarded rubbish bins.
Some still had their rubber rings with them which they had used to swim to Ceuta.
When photographer Ian Whittaker and I tried to take pictures of the mayhem from a hotel balcony we were showered with stones by wild-eyed youngsters.
Men cheer as they clamber over a fence into Spanish territory Credit: Getty
Police officers patrol at Playa del Trampolin as migrants wait to enter a short-stay centre Credit: Reuters
Thousands had made it to Ceuta on Thursday and Friday but were now leaving after finding little food or no beds for the night.
Most are from Morocco with a smattering from West Africa. Favoured destinations include Britain, France, Spain and the Netherlands.
One Moroccan who had swam to the exclave told me: “We just want a better life but there’s nothing in Ceuta for us.”
Passing the burnt-out shells of a dozen vehicles – including a torched bus – officers herded the migrants back towards the Moroccan coastal town of Fnideq.
People gather at the site of clashes near Fnideq, on the Morocco-Spain border Credit: AFP
Members of Moroccan security forces scramble to the scene of burnt out cars Credit: AFP
Many were bare-foot after discarding their footwear before swimming to Ceuta.
Another said as he left the EU territory: “It’s not good at all, and it’s not fun either. I mean, people are dying here.
“I beg you, please, if you haven’t come yet, don’t come. Don’t do it.”
Yet, minutes later dozens were trying once more to reach the EU. Many, looking barely out of their teens and carrying a few possessions in plastic bags or rucksacks, evaded cops by hugging the rocky shoreline.
Spanish police officers and soldiers escort a big group of migrants to the border Credit: Reuters
A migrant from Morocco is escorted by Spanish security forces after attempting to cross into Ceuta Credit: Reuters
Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez blamed Thursday’s 60,000-strong migrant surge on people traffickers.
But some who made the crossing said the Moroccan authorities had encouraged the unpreceendeted surge, the biggest arrival of migranst on EU territory in a single day.
Port city Ceuta – population 84,000 – was soon overwhelmed, leaving locals shellshocked.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he had spoken to Spain’s prime minister and offered “what help we can”.
Public parks became massive open-air dormitories and the beaches were used as lavatories. Charities called it a humanitarian crisis.
Spain sent troops in and the Moroccans flooded their side of the border with security personnel.
At the scene a Madrid-based legal expert told me: “Many of the migrants are going home to rest up. Then they will try again.”
