Massive Delays at Morocco-Spain Border as 90,000 Expatriates Return for Eid al-Adha

The 45% increase in the flow of MREs to Sebta compared to 2019 has led to a massive traffic jam at the Tarajal border last weekend, the first of July which marks the beginning of the summer season. The "strict" health and documentary checks carried out by the Moroccan border police have led the MREs to spend more than nine hours waiting before accessing Morocco.

The celebration of Eid al-Adha scheduled for Sunday, July 10 in Morocco would have caused this unprecedented traffic jam last weekend. On Monday, the local Executive indicated in a press release that measures have been taken to "accelerate" the passage of MREs. And to allow them to refresh themselves in the waiting area where no café or restaurant is installed, water packs and food have been distributed to them.

In anticipation of the flow that will continue to increase in the coming days, the authorities of Sebta have planned to install new toilets and tarpaulins in the waiting area. According to the government delegation, nearly 3,000 vehicles arrive daily at the port of Sebta from Algeciras to Morocco. MREs are increasingly choosing this less expensive option (170 euros for the round trip) compared to direct links to Tanger Med (360 euros).

Since Monday, waiting times have been reduced to three hours, assures the government delegation, which recalls that a historic record has been reached in terms of flow between Friday and Monday, with the entry into the city of 10,200 MREs and 40,000 vehicles from Algeciras, an increase of 128% and 181% respectively compared to 2019.