Ceuta under pressure: Spain reports at least 50,000 border crossings

Ceuta – 31 July 2026: An extraordinary migration crisis has developed within a matter of hours at the border between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. According to the Spanish central government, at least 50,000 people entered the autonomous city irregularly. Juan Jesus Vivas, the president of Ceuta, cited an estimate of 60,000 people following a meeting with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

Sanchez travelled to Ceuta on Friday together with Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska. The head of government described the events as an attack and a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity. In talks with the police, the Guardia Civil and the city administration, the two politicians received information about the operation at the land and sea border, as well as the provision of assistance to people who remain in Ceuta.

For the small city on the North African coast, the reported figures are on a virtually unprecedented scale. As recently as the end of June, Spanish security authorities had recorded a total of 2,582 irregular arrivals in Ceuta during the first half of 2026. The number of border crossings now registered within a short period is many times higher. This is placing simultaneous pressure on reception facilities, healthcare services and security forces.

According to the central government, 37,500 people had returned to Morocco by Friday afternoon. However, the information available does not indicate how many cases involved voluntary returns, official returns or other procedures. The total number of people who entered was also still being verified. Differing estimates by the government and the city administration make a final assessment more difficult.

Sanchez primarily blamed smuggling networks for the escalation. He said they had deliberately misinterpreted a decision by the Spanish Supreme Court. The ruling concerns the treatment of people who reach Spanish territory by swimming. According to media reports, the government is also considering floating barriers at the El Tarajal breakwater. They are intended to mark the border in the water more clearly and make further crossings more difficult.

Based on the available reports, Sanchez did not assign direct responsibility to Morocco. Instead, he stressed border protection, combating human trafficking and cooperation with countries of origin and transit countries. It initially remained unclear how closely Madrid and Rabat were coordinating their measures.

Those who entered are likely to include people seeking protection, families and minors, whose identities and legal status must each be examined. The government intends to speed up return procedures. Separate protection and reception rules apply to unaccompanied minors. A final assessment was not yet available on Friday afternoon.