Spanish prosecutors say 23 sexual assault cases, including nine involving children, have been reported in Ceuta since thousands of migrants crossed into the Spanish territory from Morocco in late July.
Ceuta’s chief prosecutor, Silvia Rojas, said the figure represented almost one reported case a day since the influx, while warning that the actual number could be higher because some victims may not have reported their experiences.
Rojas told El País that migrant girls were particularly vulnerable because of their irregular status and difficult living conditions.
About 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta on July 30 and 31, although most have since returned to Morocco. Around 5,000 people remain in the territory, including an estimated 1,400 to 1,600 children.
According to Spanish news agency Efe, suspects in the reported sexual assault cases include four Moroccan nationals, three Spaniards and a Belgian.
The unprecedented influx has put considerable pressure on Ceuta’s public services and heightened tensions between migrants and local residents, with some incidents reportedly turning violent.
Doctors at Ceuta University Hospital have treated several people suspected of being victims of sexual assault. Emergency physician Susana Ascaso said one of the patients was a 10-year-old child.
The Spanish government has approved a multi-million-euro aid package aimed at providing essential services and support, particularly for unaccompanied minors.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has also convened the country’s National Security Council twice within a week as authorities respond to the continuing crisis.
The government has faced criticism from opposition parties over its handling of the migrant influx. Ceuta’s regional president, Juan Jesús Vivas, has also called for demonstrations in support of the territory.
The crisis has further strained relations between Spain and Morocco. Rabat claims sovereignty over Ceuta and neighbouring Melilla, although both territories are administered by Spain.
Sánchez has stopped short of accusing the Moroccan government of organising the mass crossing, saying Spanish intelligence has found no evidence of direct involvement by Rabat.
Instead, the prime minister has pointed to online disinformation, alleging that networks linked to Russia, Israel and the international far right amplified messages surrounding the influx. Russia and Israel have rejected the allegations, while Morocco has also denied organising or participating in the crossings.
Spanish fact-checking organisation Maldita said messages encouraging people to attempt the journey had circulated on Moroccan social media before the mass arrival.
Ceuta authorities have said at least 100 people died while attempting to reach the territory by sea, underscoring the scale and danger of the migration crisis.
