- At least 19 migrants died after breaching the border from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, and more than 40,000 people may have entered the territory in 24 hours.
- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said his government was mobilising all available resources and is expected to join Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska in a visit to Ceuta on Friday.
- Among the 19 dead, many drowned and some were killed in a stampede to cross the breakwater fence at Tarajal beach, according to Sbihi.
- Moroccan authorities deployed water cannon trucks at the gates into Ceuta and pushed people back; the charred remains of a bus and seven cars could be seen after clashes with crowds.
- Ceuta, together with another autonomous Spanish city, represents the European Union’s only land border with Africa; migrants often swim from Fnideq, about 5km (3 miles). Ceuta authorities linked the surge to a Spanish Supreme Court ruling barring immediate return of migrants who arrive by sea.
- France said it will tighten its borders with Spain; Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said on X he had ordered an immediate step-up of controls at the Spanish border and activated the rapid intervention border force.
- Italy’s Premier Giorgia Meloni threatened to suspend the open-border Schengen agreement with Spain; Ceuta’s regional leader Juan Jesus Vivas called for a national emergency, but Spain’s Ministry of Interior rejected that request.
At least 19 migrants died while attempting to breach the border from Morocco into Ceuta, a Spanish enclave, as over 40,000 people entered in just 24 hours. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is set to visit Ceuta amid a serious humanitarian crisis where thousands are sleeping on the streets.12345
The surge in crossings has been linked to a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling that prevents the immediate return of migrants arriving by sea without due process. Rachid Sbihi, a local workers’ association leader, described the situation as chaotic, with many migrants, including unaccompanied children, left to sleep on sidewalks.8910
Among the deceased, many drowned, while others were killed in a stampede at Tarajal beach, a border checkpoint. Moroccan authorities attempted to control the situation with water cannons, but clashes ensued, leaving behind the charred remains of vehicles.67
In response to the crisis, Sanchez stated that the government is mobilizing all available resources. Meanwhile, France has announced plans to tighten its borders with Spain, and Italy has threatened to suspend the Schengen agreement to protect its borders. Ceuta's regional head has called for a national emergency declaration to bolster security measures.1112131415
Spain’s Ministry of Interior has rejected the emergency declaration but promised additional resources to manage the crisis.
“Ceuta authorities link the surge to a Spanish Supreme Court ruling barring immediate return of migrants arriving by sea without due process, with more than 40,000 people possibly entering in 24 hours. France is stepping up border controls, while Italy's Premier Giorgia Meloni threatened to suspend the Schengen agreement with Spain.”
