Spain Hit by an Unprecedented Wave of Migrants from Morocco: Up to 60,000 Cross Into Ceuta in Just One Day

Spain is facing one of its biggest migration crises in recent years after, according to estimates that continue to evolve, between 49,000 and 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, located on the northern coast of Africa, in less than 24 hours. Spain’s Ministry of the Interior initially estimated that around 49,000 people had crossed the border illegally within a single day, while the President of the Regional Government of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas, said the actual figure could be closer to 60,000—more than 70% of the enclave’s total population.

The massive influx has overwhelmed the city, which has a population of approximately 85,000 residents. Thousands of migrants crossed the border on foot, by swimming, or using makeshift boats, while local authorities quickly ran out of capacity to accommodate such large numbers. According to representatives of the local Civil Guard officers’ association, thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied children, spent the night in parks and on sidewalks, while others wandered the streets with nowhere to go. In response, the Spanish government deployed the military and additional police forces to Ceuta in an effort to restore order.

The Death Toll Continues to Rise

The crisis has already claimed lives, with the official death toll changing throughout Friday as new information emerged. According to the latest confirmed reports, at least 34 people have died, while some media outlets and local sources report an even higher number of casualties. Most of the victims lost their lives while attempting to swim to Ceuta or cross the border by land. Rescue teams continue searching for missing people, and authorities warn that the final death toll could rise further.

What Triggered the Mass Crossing?

Spanish authorities believe several factors contributed to the sudden surge.

One of them is a recent ruling by Spain’s Supreme Court that makes it more difficult to immediately return migrants who arrive in Ceuta by sea. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez accused human trafficking networks of portraying the court’s decision as evidence that migrants would have a better chance of remaining in Spain, describing the events as “completely unacceptable.”

At the same time, analysts point to high youth unemployment in Morocco and worsening economic conditions, which have driven many people to seek better opportunities in Europe. Reports also show that Ceuta has followed a different trend from the rest of Spain. While illegal arrivals across the rest of the country fell from 17,990 during the first six months of 2025 to 12,138 during the same period in 2026, land crossings into Ceuta increased from 978 to 2,582 over the same period—an increase of approximately 164%.

Political Tensions Intensify

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez traveled to Ceuta and pledged that Spain would protect its borders, describing the mass crossing as “a violation of Spain’s territorial sovereignty.” He also accused smuggling networks of exploiting the desperation of thousands of people.

The crisis has sparked reactions across Europe. France has tightened border controls with Spain, while the Italian government has called for a stronger European Union response to protect the bloc’s external borders. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Morocco to prevent further illegal crossings and facilitate the return of migrants who are not entitled to international protection.

Meanwhile, opposition parties in Spain argue that the situation represents a serious security failure and are calling for significantly stricter immigration policies. The events have once again reignited debate across Europe over the protection of the European Union’s external borders and the future of the Schengen Area.

What Happens Next?

The latest reports indicate that the situation has begun to stabilize. Spanish authorities say that more than half of the migrants who crossed the border over the past day have already returned to Morocco, either voluntarily or in cooperation with Moroccan authorities. Hundreds of people have been seen returning through official border crossings and openings in the border fence, while some migrants said they were unable to find food or shelter in Ceuta.

Spanish officials say identification and repatriation procedures are now being prepared for those who remain, in cooperation with Moroccan authorities. However, government officials warn that additional waves of migrants could follow in the coming days if the situation along the border is not brought fully under control.

The crisis represents one of the biggest challenges to European migration policy in recent years and could have long-term consequences for relations between Spain, Morocco, and the European Union.

Sources: Reuters, CNN, Al Jazeera, post published on X by @KARIMPRIM.