2014 Ceuta incident
 Morocco-Spain border in Tarajal, Ceuta | |
| Date | 6 February 2014 |
|---|---|
| Location |
|
| Deaths | 15 |
On 6 February 2014, between 200 and 300 migrants attempted to cross into Spain from Morocco swimming through the El Tarajal beach breakwater in Ceuta. Spanish authorities repelled them using riot gear (such as rubber bullets and smoke canisters), causing many of them to return to the sea, where 15 drowned.[1][2]
The incident (also commonly referred to as the "Tarajal tragedy")[3][4] caused a political crisis for the then Spanish government under Mariano Rajoy, whose Interior minister, Jorge Fernández Díaz, defended the police action and denied that the deaths were caused by the firing of weapons.[5][6] A judicial investigation against 16 Civil Guard officers involved was dismissed in October 2015.[7]
See also
References
- ↑ Abad, Rocío; Arroyo Rodríguez, Jorge (6 February 2014). "At least nine immigrants die in desperate bid to cross Ceuta border". El País. Ceuta / Madrid. Agencias. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
- ↑ Jiménez Gálvez, José (6 February 2015). "A year on, still no answers over Ceuta migrant drowning tragedy". El País. Madrid. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
- ↑ Bengoa, Aitor; Mills, George (translation) (7 February 2017). "Spain denied visas to relatives of migrants drowned in Tarajal tragedy". El País. Madrid. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
- ↑ "The migration crisis in Ceuta already leaves the greatest documented tragedy at a Spanish border". Demócrata. 4 August 2026. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
- ↑ "Minister admits use of rubber bullets in Ceuta immigrant tragedy". El País. Madrid. Agencias. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
- ↑ Jones, Sam (6 February 2025). "Refugee shot in eye during deadly 2014 crossing into Spain files complaint to UN". The Guardian. Madrid. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
- ↑ Abad, Rocío; Urra, Susana (translation) (16 October 2015). "Investigation into death of 15 migrants on Ceuta beach dropped". El País. Ceuta. Retrieved 4 August 2026.