It has been revealed that young girls were subjected to sexual violence when a large number of migrants rushed across the border from Morocco into the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta late last month.

Euronews, a media outlet specializing in European affairs, reported on the 9th (local time) that at least five underage migrants under the age of 14, presumed to have suffered sexual assault during the Ceuta crisis, received treatment at the Ceuta University Hospital.

Late last month, the Spanish autonomous city of Ceuta experienced an influx of 72,000 unauthorized migrants within just 24 hours, shocking Europe and raising concerns over a resurgence of the migrant crisis.

Medical officials in Ceuta stated that five youths under the age of 14 were treated at the Ceuta University Hospital after suffering sexual violence, and that this group is believed to include one boy.

Medical officials expressed concern that the actual scale of the damage could be even larger, noting that there are likely a significant number of unreported victims.

Euronews reported that more than 10 people of various ages have received treatment for suspected sexual assault cases.

Amid suspicions that sexual assault may have been widespread, police have launched an investigation into allegations that a minor who entered Ceuta during the massive influx of migrants from Morocco was sexually assaulted.

Medical examinations reportedly confirmed signs of sexual assault on the minor transferred to the hospital.

However, it is known that no arrests have been made so far, and the exact circumstances under which the incidents took place have not yet been determined.

A judicial official stated that there were also several attempted sexual assaults that were thwarted by the intervention of local residents.

The official added that multiple circumstances supporting the fact that sexual assault attempts took place, even if they did not lead to actual crimes, have been confirmed.

Susana Ascaso, a doctor working in the emergency department of the Ceuta University Hospital, confirmed the fact that she is treating migrant girls who have fallen victim to sexual assault.

She explained that the victimized girls were all under 14 years old and were living on the streets because there was no space available in minor reception facilities.

She emphasized that these cases are part of a broader "health disaster" engulfing Ceuta, and that much more medical personnel and resources are needed to treat the patients whose numbers have surged due to the influx of migrants.

She also added that there is a risk of infectious diseases being introduced because the emergency room lacks the capacity to screen for the introduction of contagious diseases such as tuberculosis and hepatitis.

Human rights organizations, including Save the Children, pointed out that migrants and youths in Ceuta are at risk of exposure to human trafficking and sexual exploitation, and that the authorities' inadequate response—failing to properly identify victims and vulnerable groups and provide them with adequate shelter and necessary support—is exacerbating the danger.

Meanwhile, authorities in Ceuta stated on the same day that between 8,000 and 11,000 of the unauthorized migrants still remain in Ceuta.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)