The southern bay of Ceuta has filled this Sunday with flags of Spain and expressions of support for the city during a day led by the so-called "Armada of Solidarity" and by a motorcycle gathering held simultaneously.
The flotilla has been composed of around a hundred vessels, arriving mainly from the Costa del Sol and various points in the province of Cádiz, to which boats from Ceuta itself have joined. Starting at noon, the vessels began to leave the marina in a staggered manner to initiate a joint navigation through waters near the city.
During the journey, the boats sounded their horns, displayed numerous flags of Spain, and their crew members chanted messages such as "you are not alone" directed at the Ceutíes who were following the day from the shore.
Route from San Amaro to El Chorrillo
The navigation has taken place through the southern bay and various points along the Ceutí coastline. The flotilla passed by San Amaro and El Desnarigado before reaching the area of El Chorrillo beach, where a significant number of people awaited their arrival.
Also at Ribera beach, numerous citizens gathered to follow the passage of the vessels. Hundreds of Ceutíes welcomed the flotilla with applause, carrying Spanish and Ceuta flags. Some of the attendees followed the arrival of the boats visibly emotional, and there were even scenes of people in tears.
The day thus had a marked symbolic character, with participants presenting the navigation as a show of solidarity and support for Ceuta after the recent weeks of tension experienced in the city.
A motorcycle gathering also travels through Ceuta
Alongside the navigation, dozens of motorcyclists have gathered since 12:00 at the Murallas Reales, next to the southern bay. The participants have also shown flags of Spain and messages of support for the city before later starting a route through the streets of Ceuta.
The coincidence of both events has meant that a large part of the activity this Sunday concentrated around the southern bay, with the presence of vessels at sea and groups of citizens following the events from the coast.
A day focused on support for Ceuta
The "Armada of Solidarity" had presented its arrival as a civil initiative to support the Ceuta population. This Sunday, the joint navigation has served as the central act of the call, after the arrival of the vessels from the Peninsula and their incorporation to the local boats.
The result has been an unusual image on the coast of Ceuta: dozens of vessels sailing in a coordinated manner, horns sounding off the coast and hundreds of people gathered on the beaches with flags of Spain and the autonomous city.
The day has developed with the message of support for Ceuta as a common element among both the participants of the flotilla and the motorcyclists and the people who have approached the beaches to follow the navigation.