"Operation Strait of Gibraltar Passage would not be possible without the close collaboration and good will of the Moroccan authorities", says Juan Ignacio Zoido

"Operation Strait of Gibraltar Passage" dates back to 1986 when preliminary work began on making the first OSGP possible the following year, although it was called "Operation Transit" at the time. Since then, the Directorate-General of Civil Protection and Emergencies has implemented a Special Civil Protection Plan on a yearly basis.

The Special Operation Strait of Gibraltar Passage Plan was created in light of the goal and challenge to offer an adequate and proportionate response to a significant increase in demand for services and infrastructures, as well as to provide effective and coordinated actions in the event of an emergency.

In 2016, it enabled the crossing of 2,865,479 people and 655,796 vehicles by sea between Europe and Africa

Last year, "Operation Strait of Gibraltar Passage" enabled to the crossing of 2,865,479 people and 655,796 vehicles by sea between Europe and Africa. In this regard, the Minister for Home Affairs stressed that "its effectiveness grows thanks to better planning year after year, meaning that it can be considered a benchmark for Europe as a whole in terms of the large-scale movement of people".

In total, 24 different ministerial departments and public bodies take part in "Operation Strait of Gibraltar Passage". This year, over 15,000 people are expected to participate, including members of the State law enforcement agencies, healthcare services, translators, social workers and the Red Cross, among others. Juan Ignacio Zoido reiterated his congratulations to everyone who takes part in coordinating this operation "for their effort, involvement, dedication, professionalism and commitment".