Spain Plans Transfer of Migrant Minors Following Deadly Border Rush in Ceuta

Spain's government expects to transfer migrant minors from overcrowded reception centers in the North African enclave of Ceuta to the mainland within a few weeks. Youth Minister Sira Rego announced the plan on Friday following a deadly border rush on July 30, during which Spanish authorities report as many as 72,000 migrants illegally crossed from Morocco by sea and land. Dozens of people died during the event, and Spain is currently seeking the identities of those killed and planning burials.

Minister Rego stated that 1,342 minors have been registered so far. The government is prioritizing the transfer of girls and children under the age of 13. While Rego described the situation as gradually returning to normal, she acknowledged images of children sleeping on the streets. To address the crisis, two schools have been opened and additional staff have been drafted in to assist.

Morocco has offered to cooperate in the return of unaccompanied minors. Spain intends to evaluate these repatriations on a case by case basis to safeguard children's rights and facilitate family reunification. However, a Moroccan diplomatic source cited by the EFE press agency suggested that Spanish administrative and judicial hurdles are complicating the return process, a claim Rego denied.

Local government head Juan Jesus Vivas noted that Ceuta's facilities, which can host up to 90 children, were already saturated by roughly 1,100 minors who arrived before the recent rush. Some NGOs and resident groups suggest the total number of minors could be several thousand. The far right opposition has raised objections to transferring the minors to the mainland, where regional authorities manage reception.