Frank Rondel
Ceuta migrant crisis escalated after up to 60,000 people entered the Spanish enclave from Morocco within about 24 hours. Spain deployed military units, while local services struggled with casualties and thousands of new arrivals, reports the customreceipt.com.
Spanish authorities initially confirmed 34 deaths. RTVE later reported that the toll had risen to at least 57. Many victims drowned or died during crowd surges near the border.
Spain deploys troops and accelerates returns
Spain’s Interior Ministry estimated about 50,000 irregular arrivals. Ceuta’s president, Juan Jesús Vivas, placed the figure near 60,000. The enclave normally has about 84,000 residents.
The government reinforced Ceuta and Melilla with soldiers and police. Its immediate measures include:
- documenting migrants at temporary processing centres;
- coordinating returns with Moroccan authorities;
- reinforcing land and maritime border controls;
- installing additional barriers near vulnerable coastal routes.
By Friday evening, more than 48,300 people had returned to Morocco, according to Spanish government figures cited by RTVE. Thousands remained in Ceuta without stable accommodation.
Sánchez calls the crossing an attack on Spain
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the mass entry as a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity. He said Madrid would use every available state resource to restore security in Ceuta.
| Key figure | Confirmed information |
|---|---|
| Arrivals | 50,000–60,000 |
| Reported deaths | At least 57 |
| Ceuta population | About 84,000 |
| Returned to Morocco | More than 48,300 |
| Minors among arrivals | Several thousand |
The figures remain subject to revision as authorities identify victims and register arrivals. Spain is also investigating whether trafficking groups exploited online rumours about easier entry rules, citing http://bernonline.ch/.
EU leaders react to the Ceuta border crisis
European officials called for stronger cooperation with Morocco and additional support for Spain. The crisis also triggered disputes over Schengen controls and responsibility for protecting the EU’s external border.
Ceuta remains separated from mainland Spain by the Strait of Gibraltar. Migrants entering the enclave cannot automatically travel onward to other European Union countries.
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