Thousands Cross Into Spain’s Ceuta Enclave as Migration Crisis Deepens
Thousands of migrants have crossed into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta, with many swimming around a small border barrier that extends into the Mediterranean Sea. Authorities said 34 people lost their lives during the dangerous crossing.
The sudden influx has triggered an international crisis for Spain, drawing criticism from several European countries, including Germany, Italy and Finland, while France has tightened security along its border with Spain.
In response, the Spanish government has deployed soldiers, additional police officers, divers, drones and patrol boats to reinforce security in Ceuta. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and the Interior Minister also visited the enclave to assess the situation.
Spain’s Interior Minister said about 25,000 migrants who entered Ceuta had voluntarily returned to Morocco.
AFP journalists at the scene reported seeing hundreds of men, women and children arriving in Ceuta after crossing the sea, many abandoning flotation devices and wet clothing used during the journey.
On the Moroccan side of the border, hundreds of migrants—mostly young men—were seen waiting, while others decided to turn back after realising the area was overcrowded.
“It’s catastrophic,” said Mohammed, a taxi driver and Ceuta resident. “We feel for them because many are fleeing hardship, but this is not the right way to enter another country or to live.”
Authorities are still trying to determine what caused the sudden surge. Similar incidents in the past have often coincided with diplomatic tensions between Spain and Morocco.
Prime Minister Sánchez blamed human trafficking networks for spreading false information that encouraged people to attempt the crossing. According to him, traffickers misrepresented a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling concerning migrants arriving by sea, leading many to believe they would automatically be allowed to stay.
European Reactions
The crisis has sparked strong reactions across Europe.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the scenes in Ceuta as “unacceptable,” stressing that entry into the European Union must follow legal procedures.
Italy called for Spain to be suspended from the Schengen free-travel zone, prompting Madrid to summon the Italian ambassador and accuse Rome of politicising the crisis.
Finland and Denmark later supported Italy’s position, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Morocco to immediately take back migrants who entered Spain illegally.
France and the United Kingdom expressed support for Spain, although France also announced tighter border checks.
Tensions at the Border
Ceuta and Melilla are Spain’s two autonomous enclaves in North Africa and represent the European Union’s only land borders with Africa.
Some migrants celebrated after reaching Spanish territory, chanting “Goodbye Morocco, hello Spain,” while walking through the streets of Ceuta.
Spanish security forces mainly focused on directing new arrivals to migrant reception centres rather than stopping them.
On the Moroccan side, security forces used tear gas and water cannons to disperse thousands gathered near the border. At least 30 people were arrested during the operation.
Although Morocco has not officially commented on the situation, a government source confirmed that officials from both countries had discussed the crisis.
Similar Crisis in 2021
The latest incident is reminiscent of the 2021 migration crisis, when more than 10,000 migrants entered Ceuta within two days during a diplomatic dispute between Spain and Morocco.
That crisis followed Spain’s decision to provide medical treatment to a leader of the Polisario Front, a group seeking independence for Western Sahara.
Relations improved in 2022 after Spain backed Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, although that decision strained ties with Algeria. Sánchez’s recent visit to Algeria had suggested those relations were beginning to improve before the current migration crisis erupted.
