Tens of Thousands of Migrants Breach Spanish Border in Ceuta, 57 Reported Dead
Approximately 57 migrants are reported dead after tens of thousands of people swarmed across the border from Morocco into the Spanish territory of Ceuta within the last 24 hours. The Spanish government confirmed the surge in fatalities on Friday night. The Regional President of Ceuta, Juan Jesus Vivas, stated that around 60,000 migrants breached the border via land and sea routes, including swimming around the border fortifications in the waters of Tarajal Beach.
Responding to this largest wave of illegal migration, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited Ceuta immediately, asserting that all national resources would be deployed. He described the mass breach as a violation of territorial sovereignty. “From our discussions with the Moroccan authorities, human trafficking mafias are exploiting unilateral interpretations of Supreme Court rulings,” stated Prime Century Sanchez, highlighting the legal disinformation triggering the mass exodus.
Sanchez ensured that security authorities are now accelerating the repatriation of migrants. The Spanish Ministry of the Interior noted that approximately 25,000 people have already been returned to Morocco. On the ground, the humanitarian crisis is becoming increasingly uncontrollable. Civil Guard officer in Ceuta, Rachid Sbihi, described the situation as dire. “This is a serious humanitarian crisis. Thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied children, are sleeping on pavements while others wander the streets aimlessly,” said Sbihi.
Sbihi added that some victims died from drowning while attempting to swim 5 kilometres from Fnideq, Morocco, while others were trampled during surges at the border breakwaters. Clashes also erupted near the entry gates, resulting in the burning of several vehicles. The escalation in Ceuta, which serves as the only EU land border on the African continent alongside Melilla, has drawn serious attention from European leaders. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen strongly condemned the incident, stating, “We must not allow anyone to enter our Union without complying with our rules. Dangerous crossings must stop immediately, and smuggling networks must be dismantled.”
Full support has also flowed from other EU member states. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron have expressed readiness to assist Spain, including the potential deployment of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) to secure the border region.