By Staff Reporter
CEUTA, Spain – At least nine people have died after thousands of migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in one of the largest migration surges seen in recent years.
Authorities in Ceuta said between 1,500 and 2,000 migrants have entered the territory over the past 10 days, with hundreds more arriving on Thursday alone. The influx prompted Ceuta’s regional president, Jesús Vivas, to declare an “absolute humanitarian and social emergency” and urge Spain’s central government to deploy military forces to restore order along the border.
In response, Spain’s Interior Ministry rejected calls to declare a national emergency, stating that existing legislation does not classify migration crises under that framework. However, the ministry confirmed that 60 soldiers would be deployed to reinforce border security and assist local authorities.
Videos circulating online showed groups of migrants celebrating as they entered Ceuta, some chanting “Viva España!” after reaching Spanish territory. Many crossed by sea using inflatable boats and makeshift flotation devices, while others reportedly climbed border fences or walked around coastal breakwaters to reach the enclave.
Migrant rights activist Zakaria Zarroqui described the situation as being comparable to the major migration wave of May 2021, when around 10,000 Moroccan and sub-Saharan migrants entered Ceuta within a matter of days.
“The situation remains out of control,” Zarroqui said, adding that more people continue gathering in the Moroccan border city of Fnideq in hopes of reaching the Spanish enclave.
Ceuta, together with the Spanish enclave of Melilla, forms the European Union’s only land border with Africa and has long been a focal point for irregular migration into Europe.
The latest surge follows a recent ruling by Spain’s Supreme Court, which determined that migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to reach Ceuta or Melilla cannot automatically be returned to Morocco. Spanish authorities believe human trafficking networks have exploited the decision to encourage more undocumented migrants to attempt the dangerous crossing.
Spain’s Interior Ministry said it is working closely with Moroccan authorities to manage the growing crisis and dismantle smuggling operations responsible for facilitating the crossings.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska is expected to visit Ceuta to assess the situation and coordinate the government’s response.
