Spain has asked the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) to help process around 5,000 migrants who remain in Ceuta, its North African territory, after they crossed from Morocco on July 30.
Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska sent the request to Beate Gminder, Director-General for Migration and Home Affairs at the European Commission, on Friday. Grande-Marlaska also proposed adding 10 Frontex staff to speed up the screening process.
Spanish authorities need to identify those still in Ceuta to determine whether they qualify for international protection or, if not, to begin repatriation procedures.
Officials say that between 5,000 and 8,000 migrants, including unaccompanied minors, remain in Ceuta out of the 72,000 who crossed from Morocco on July 30. That clash and mass movement resulted in 82 deaths on the Spanish side of the border and 14 on the Moroccan side, according to official figures. Human rights organizations have reported higher numbers.
Spain's request comes amid growing unrest in Ceuta, following a series of protests by local residents demanding the migrants' departure. Tents at Trampolin Beach, where many migrants are camping, have been attacked and set on fire.
Twelve migrants were arrested on Thursday after throwing stones at military vehicles, injuring one soldier and four migrants. According to El País, citing the city's main court, 11 of these individuals have been expelled from Ceuta.
Earlier, on Tuesday, the Spanish government submitted a formal request to the EU for emergency funding to help address the situation.
