MADRID: Some 300 migrants stormed the border between Morocco and Spain at Ceuta on Monday, authorities said, days after one of the largest rush of arrivals over the frontier in more than a decade.
The young migrants climbed over the high border fence into the Spanish North African territory, ecstatic to have finally crossed into a European Union state.
Some kissed the ground and shouted “Thank you lord” and “Viva Espana,” though several had bloodied hands and feet as well as torn clothes after scaling the barrier.
Ceuta and Melilla, also a Spanish territory in North Africa, have the EU’s only land borders with Africa, so are entry points for migrants who either climb the border fence, swim along the coast or hide in vehicles.
Spanish police told AFP that “300 entered, double that number tried.”
Their arrival came just days after nearly 500 migrants made it over the fence on Friday, one of the biggest entries since the border barrier was reinforced in 2005.
The last such massive attempt took place on New Year’s Day when more than 1,000 migrants tried to jump a high double fence between Morocco and Ceuta in a violent assault that saw one officer lose an eye.
The enclave has been ringed by a double wire fence eight kilometers (five miles) long. The six-meter high fence also has rolls of barbed wire.
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Hundreds of migrants rush border at Spain’s Ceuta
Hundreds of migrants rush border at Spain’s Ceuta
Italy Sees Economic Boost From the Opening Weekend of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026
MILANO: Visa, the Official Payment Technology Partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, today released new data revealing consumer spending patterns in the Winter Games host locations 1 during the opening weekend of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
VisaNet data analyzed by Visa Consulting & Analytics (VCA) shows the positive impact that Milano Cortina 2026 is having on commerce:
Antony Cahill, Chief Executive Officer, Visa Europe says: “Over the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony weekend, Italian businesses experienced a year-on-year rise in visitors and purchases, according to VisaNet data — demonstrating the positive economic impact that major global events can deliver for local communities. US travelers led overseas spend, with fans from China, Brazil, Canada and Japan showing the biggest increase in travel to the Games.”
Visa’s responsibility to provide payment systems for the Olympic and Paralympic Games requires a robust and venue-specific plan combined with large-scale operations. Working hand-in-hand with the Organizing Committee, Visa has built a custom payment network across Milano, Cortina and beyond, which will ensure Visa payments are accepted at approximately 800 points of sale across 13 competition venues and several other official Milano Cortina 2026 locations.
VisaNet data analyzed by Visa Consulting & Analytics (VCA) shows the positive impact that Milano Cortina 2026 is having on commerce:
Antony Cahill, Chief Executive Officer, Visa Europe says: “Over the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony weekend, Italian businesses experienced a year-on-year rise in visitors and purchases, according to VisaNet data — demonstrating the positive economic impact that major global events can deliver for local communities. US travelers led overseas spend, with fans from China, Brazil, Canada and Japan showing the biggest increase in travel to the Games.”
Visa’s responsibility to provide payment systems for the Olympic and Paralympic Games requires a robust and venue-specific plan combined with large-scale operations. Working hand-in-hand with the Organizing Committee, Visa has built a custom payment network across Milano, Cortina and beyond, which will ensure Visa payments are accepted at approximately 800 points of sale across 13 competition venues and several other official Milano Cortina 2026 locations.
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