Migrant Crisis in Ceuta: Spain Mobilizes Military After Tens of Thousands Enter

Around 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta within 24 hours. According to Ceuta President Juan Jesús Vivas, at least 43 people died while attempting to cross the border.

The extraordinary influx has prompted Spain to deploy its armed forces to bolster security in Ceuta and Melilla. Numerous military units have been stationed in border areas, where clashes have also occurred with migrants attempting to enter Spanish territory.

According to Spain’s Interior Ministry, around 50,000 people have arrived. Meanwhile, more than 25,000 migrants have voluntarily returned from Ceuta to Morocco, with authorities reporting that departures have reached a rate of around 150 people per minute.

Ceuta President Juan Jesús Vivas described the situation as “unsustainable.” He stressed that the number of migrants who have arrived in the enclave is equal to around 70% of the city’s population, which is estimated at approximately 83,600, and called for further assistance from the central authorities to deal with the crisis.

The situation escalated following a ruling by Spain’s Supreme Court, which determined that migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to enter Ceuta or Melilla cannot be immediately returned to Morocco. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the development as an “attack” and said that everyone who entered illegally would be sent back to Morocco “as quickly as possible.”

The Spanish government has also reinforced its military presence in Melilla, where between 300 and 400 illegal crossings were recorded overnight. During a visit to Ceuta, Sánchez said measures were being considered to further strengthen security along the border with Morocco. He accused criminal networks of exploiting the Supreme Court ruling and spreading false information, thereby fueling the influx of migrants.

Sánchez also said that the Moroccan authorities were cooperating with Spain to return those who had entered Spanish territory illegally.

Authorities say most of the migrants are young and predominantly male, but women, children and infants are also among them. According to estimates, at least 7,000 of those who entered Ceuta in the past 24 hours are minors.