At least 18 people die as thousands cross to Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco

At least 18 people die as thousands cross to Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco

A massive surge of migrants from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta has left at least 18 people dead and triggered a diplomatic crisis across Europe. The influx, which peaked on Thursday, July 31, 2026, saw thousands of people breach the frontier, with some swimming around breakwaters and others climbing fences to enter the territory.

Juan Jesús Vivas, the president of Ceuta, stated on Friday that some 60,000 migrants entered the enclave within a 24-hour period. He described the situation as absolutely unsustainable, noting that the arrivals represent approximately 70% of the city's regular population, which is cited as roughly 83,600 to 85,000 residents.

The human toll of the crossing has been severe. According to Rachid Sbihi, who leads a local workers association for Civil Guard officers, many of the deceased drowned, while others were killed in a stampede at Tarajal beach near a border checkpoint. Sbihi characterized the event as a serious humanitarian crisis, reporting that thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied children, were left to sleep in parks and on sidewalks.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, visiting Ceuta on Friday, condemned the breach as a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity. He attributed the chaos to human smugglers who deceive so many young people and lead them to their deaths. Sánchez argued that criminal networks misinterpreted a recent Supreme Court ruling and spread this information like wildfire through trafficking networks.

The Supreme Court ruling in question determined that migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to reach Ceuta or Melilla cannot be summarily deported, a rule that differs from those who cross by land.

Border Chaos and Security Response

The scale of the crossing has forced Spain to deploy military troops and police reinforcements to Ceuta and the sister city of Melilla. In Melilla, between 300 and 400 crossings were reported overnight. Reports from the Moroccan side of the border described clashes in Bni Nsar, where migrants threw rocks and set police vehicles ablaze.

Moroccan police responded with water cannons and warning shots to prevent further entries. Karima Benyaich, Morocco’s ambassador to Spain, stated the situation unfolded against Morocco’s wishes, adding that her country has always prioritized legal, orderly and safe migration for all.

Despite the security presence, the situation on the ground remains volatile. Ahmed Karim, a 33-year-old Moroccan who crossed into the enclave, cited a lack of jobs in his home country as his motivation, stating, Many people want to go to Europe, America, but they don’t have the opportunity.

European Diplomatic Rift

The crisis has strained relations between Spain and its European neighbors. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the images shocking and suggested Italy might suspend the Schengen open-border agreement with Spain to defend borders.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced the activation of the Rapid Intervention Border Force to strengthen checks along the French-Spanish border.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen described the scenes in Ceuta as unacceptable and demanded they stop immediately.

Spanish authorities have stated they intend to return illegal migrants to Morocco as quickly as possible.