Spain and Morocco tightened security along the border surrounding the Spanish enclave of Ceuta after nearly 49,000 people crossed into the territory by land and sea within a single day. The unprecedented movement of migrants left at least 19 people dead and triggered a humanitarian emergency as well as diplomatic tensions across Europe.<\/p>\n
Spanish authorities described the event as the country’s most serious border migration crisis since at least 2021. The influx overwhelmed Ceuta, a territory with a permanent population of about 85,000 residents. The crossings largely ended after both countries deployed military personnel and security forces along the border. Moroccan authorities also used water cannons to disperse crowds attempting to reach the enclave.<\/p>\n
The mass movement began on Thursday when thousands of people, mainly Moroccan nationals along with families from sub-Saharan Africa including women and children, swam around the breakwaters at Tarajal beach from the Moroccan towns of Fnideq and Belyounech. Videos circulating online showed migrants running through local streets after reaching Ceuta, with some celebrating their arrival.<\/p>\n
At least 19 people died during the crossings. According to Rachid Sbihi, head of the association representing Civil Guard officers in Ceuta, many drowned while others were killed in a crush near the border fence and breakwater. He described the situation as a severe humanitarian crisis, with thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied children, sleeping in parks and on sidewalks.<\/p>\n
Authorities said at least 7,000 of those who entered Ceuta were minors. Reception centers for unaccompanied children were reported to be operating at around 2,400 percent of their intended capacity, placing extreme pressure on local social services.<\/p>\n
The crisis quickly spread to Melilla, Spain’s second North African enclave, where hundreds of migrants also crossed the border overnight, prompting authorities to close crossing points. Warning shots were reportedly fired near the Melilla frontier as security forces sought to contain the situation.<\/p>\n
The developments also sparked political tensions within Europe. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni threatened to suspend the Schengen free movement agreement with Spain, arguing that the events demonstrated how uncontrolled irregular migration poses a direct threat to European border security. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares rejected the remarks as inappropriate and announced that Italy’s ambassador would be summoned in protest.<\/p>\n
Spanish Minister for Territorial Policy Angel Victor Torres suggested that a Supreme Court ruling issued earlier in July, which prohibited the immediate return of migrants intercepted at sea, may have encouraged the sudden increase in crossings. Some critics also linked the surge to the Spanish government’s proposal to regularize 500,000 undocumented migrants, although Spanish authorities dismissed that explanation.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez was scheduled to visit Ceuta alongside Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska as the government reaffirmed its commitment to returning those who entered illegally while complying with court rulings and respecting migrants’ rights.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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