Stone-throwing against the "Solidarity Fleet" in Ceuta: eight detained by Civil Guard
Eight citizens of Moroccan origin threw stones at the support flotilla for Ceuta near the Royal Walls. The Civil Guard intervened and transferred them to National Police premises.
Tension in Ceuta during the passage of the civil support flotilla
On Sunday, the route of the so-called "Solidarity Fleet" along the Ceuta coastline resulted in an episode of violence that forced the Maritime Service of the Civil Guard to intervene. According to El Mundo, eight citizens of Moroccan origin threw stones at Spanish vessels whilst waving flags of their country from the lower area of the Royal Walls, in the heart of the autonomous city.
The flotilla, composed of up to 60 boats and launches from private individuals arriving from different points of the Peninsula, had been organised under the motto "We are all Ceuta, Spain responds united" to convey a message of solidarity to the residents of the city following the migration crisis that has been creating tension in Ceuta for over a month.
The most critical moment occurred when part of the vessels were navigating through the moat of the Royal Walls. Witnesses present reported that the group had been waiting hidden in the lower part of the wall before throwing the stones and unfurling the Moroccan flags.
The intervention of Civil Guard officers, combined with the actions of several citizens, prevented the incident from escalating. The eight individuals were transferred by vessel to the National Police premises, where they were released after the corresponding record.
The episode briefly transformed a day conceived as a show of support for Ceuta residents into a new reflection of the tension that persists in certain parts of the city. Moments before the altercation, numerous residents had come out to welcome the flotilla to thank them for the initiative whilst the vessels travelled along the coast adorned with Spanish flags.
Source: El Mundo