Impromptu census in the El Príncipe neighborhood after the arrival of hundreds of minors: “This breaks any parameter”
On the outskirts of the city, neighbors take charge of migrant minors who crossed by swimming and whom the authorities do not know where to place.
In Ceuta, things work in the opposite direction to the usual order: here, those at the top bear the brunt of any crisis, while those at the bottom can, if they want to, isolate themselves from it. Up top is the El Príncipe Alfonso neighbourhood, which still carries the stigma of being Spain's most dangerous neighbourhood, a labyrinthine layout of devilishly narrow streets that for years has been compared to Brazilian favelas.
But these days, with the city still holding its breath after the massive border crossing, El Príncipe does not live up to this prefabricated image of misery and drug trafficking. Its chaotic streets are bustling with industrious activity: women cleaning huge brass pots in the entranceways, migrants queuing in front of garages to receive food and clothing, men handing out papers for dozens of children without parents to write down their names.
Since nearly a week ago 72,000 migrants had swum across the border, this neighbourhood has been the tributary through which most of them flowed. Many, through sheer inertia, ran barefoot down the steep San Daniel street, which connects with El Tarajal. And many others, far more, were pushed by the police, who dispersed them towards this neighbourhood with blows.
Translated by urgent.news from El Pais's report; automated translation may contain errors. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
