Kathmandu— Moroccan security forces arrested 294 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa and 61 Moroccans accused of facilitating their travel while attempting to reach the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, according to state broadcaster Medi 1 TV. The crackdown follows calls for a renewed mass crossing of the border, prompted by social media activity and driven by poverty and misinformation, just two weeks after a crisis that resulted in at least 90 deaths. Both Moroccan and Spanish authorities have increased security presence along the border in response to these attempts, leaving thousands stranded in precarious conditions within Ceuta.

Recent Mass Migration Attempt

The latest arrests occurred on Saturday as migrants attempted to enter Ceuta by both land and sea. This surge follows a previous event two weeks prior where over 72,000 people rushed towards the border, creating one of the deadliest migration crises in the region. Official numbers indicate at least 90 fatalities on both sides of the border, though human rights groups suggest the actual number may be higher.

Protests for Asylum

Hundreds of migrants currently stranded in Ceuta staged a protest Sunday on a local beach, appealing to Spanish authorities to grant them asylum rather than return them to Morocco. An estimated 5,000 to 8,000 migrants remain in the city after the earlier mass crossing, straining local resources and forcing many to live in difficult conditions on beaches or the outskirts of Ceuta.

Migrant Conditions and Spanish Response

Ayoub Elarroud from Tetouan, Morocco, described the harsh living conditions for those stranded, telling Reuters, “We’re sleeping next to the sea, with cold and bad smells. We’re suffering a lot,” adding that police were preventing access to the city center. Spain's Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated that migrants who entered irregularly will not be permitted to stay in Ceuta, travel to mainland Spain, or gain legal status except in cases of extreme vulnerability.

Border Security Costs

A senior Moroccan diplomat revealed that over 20,000 security personnel are deployed daily along the border with Ceuta, incurring costs of hundreds of millions of dollars. The influx of migrants seeking access to Europe continues as individuals flee conflict, poverty, and instability in their home countries.

Route to Europe

Thousands of migrants travel to Morocco annually hoping to reach either Ceuta or Melilla, another Spanish enclave on the Moroccan coast, with the ultimate goal of reaching mainland Spain for improved economic opportunities.

The situation remains tense as authorities continue to manage migration flows and address the needs of those stranded within Ceuta while seeking long-term solutions.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.