- Ceuta's leader Vivas reported that 100 died in the recent border rush, with up to 5,000 migrants still remaining in the enclave.
- About 72,000 migrants from Morocco entered Ceuta last Thursday and Friday, according to Spanish authorities, in one of the largest movements into EU territory in recent years; Vivas called it an ‘invasion’ and noted the number was roughly equal to the enclave’s entire population of more than 80,000.
- Local officials had warned Madrid about rising crossing numbers before the surge, but their warnings were not acted on.
- On Monday, Morocco rejected suggestions it was responsible for the surge, stating that Spain should have anticipated the consequences of a court ruling regarding migrants arriving by swimming.
- Spain’s government declined to attend the hearing; the European Commission attended in its place.
- Magnus Brunner, the European Union migration commissioner, warned that Europe’s border security depends too heavily on the cooperation of a single neighbouring country.
At least 100 people died during mass migrant crossings from Morocco into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta, according to the city's leader, Juan Jesus Vivas. He testified before the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, revealing that between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants remain in the enclave, which is still reeling from the recent influx.15
Vivas described the situation as an invasion, noting that the number of migrants who entered was roughly equal to Ceuta's entire population of over 80,000. Spanish authorities reported that about 72,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta last Thursday and Friday, marking one of the largest movements into EU territory in recent years.23
EU migration commissioner Magnus Brunner warned that the crisis has exposed a deeper weakness in Europe's border security, stating, “As long as control depends on the goodwill of one neighbouring state, we remain vulnerable.” He assured that Spain had informed Brussels the crisis would not affect the Schengen zone, but the reliance on a single country for border security raises concerns.78
Vivas criticized the Spanish government for not attending the hearing and claimed that Ceuta's reception centres had “collapsed” under the strain of the migrant influx. He also mentioned that local officials had previously warned Madrid about rising crossing numbers, but their concerns were ignored. Meanwhile, Morocco rejected claims of responsibility for the surge, suggesting that Spain should have anticipated the consequences of a court ruling regarding migrant deportations.4
“The surge saw about 72,000 migrants enter Ceuta over two days, roughly matching the enclave's population of over 80,000, with reception centres 'collapsed' under strain. EU migration commissioner Magnus Brunner warned that Europe's border security relies too heavily on a single neighbouring country's cooperation.”
