It’s a video making waves across social media. Spanish national police intercepted a boat carrying migrants attempting to reach Spanish territory in North Africa on Sunday illegally. In a shocking turn of events, they collided with the migrant vessel, as reported by the U.K. Telegraph.
Despite the alarming nature of this incident, unbelievably, there were no serious injuries reported. However, the images from this event have sparked intense reactions online.
???????? Watch: Migrant dinghy crushed by Spanish police boat
The Guardia Civil can be seen chasing the speedboat and trying to block the path when it severs it in half
Read more ????https://t.co/5Pi2OAXQEv pic.twitter.com/DbFgnp4Wp1
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) August 28, 2024
A High-Stakes Chase Off Melilla’s Coast
The Telegraph details how the Spanish boat was part of the country’s Guardia Civil, patrolling near Melilla—a small Spanish enclave that borders Morocco in North Africa. The authorities were engaged in a high-speed chase with a boat carrying four passengers when disaster struck.
The collision was dramatic but thankfully resulted in only one person needing brief hospitalization; all others were rescued immediately.
Diverse Reactions to Police Action
“That’s how you stop illegal immigrants from illegally crossing into your country,” declared Turning Point UK, a British offshoot of the conservative American organization Turning Point USA.
Spanish boat police take out a migrant dinghy.
That’s how you stop illegal migrants from illegally crossing into your country. pic.twitter.com/cICaO6WWRf
— Turning Point UK ???????? (@TPointUK) August 28, 2024
A Growing Frustration Among Citizens
“Everyone has had enough,” wrote Tommy Robinson, a British conservative political activist, reflecting the sentiments shared by many who feel overwhelmed by ongoing migration issues.
Spanish police boat chases down and runs over migrant dinghy sending occupants flying.
Everyone has had enough. pic.twitter.com/CSPsZbby7b
— Tommy Robinson ???????? (@TRobinsonNewEra) August 29, 2024
The Origin and Implications of Migrant Movement
The migrants’ boat is believed to have originated from Morocco. According to reports from the left-wing British publication The Guardian, local human rights organizations described this encounter as “violent and dangerous.” Kenneth Roth, former executive director of Human Rights Watch, took to social media to label the police action as “dangerously aggressive.”
A video "appeared to show a Spanish police boat briefly mounting a small dinghy carrying people towards the coast of Spain" — a dangerously aggressive move to stop migrants. https://t.co/UXGtxhlJN0
— Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) August 27, 2024
Investigations Underway Following Collision
In response to this incident, Moroccan authorities are reportedly investigating what transpired during the encounter according to The Telegraph. However, it appears that Spain sees no need for such inquiries at this time.
As noted by The Telegraph, “Spain’s two enclaves on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast, Ceuta and Melilla, share the only land borders of the European Union with Africa.” These areas frequently experience waves of attempted crossings by migrants desperate to reach Europe.
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