Spain has deployed military forces to Ceuta as thousands of migrants overwhelm the border, resulting in at least 18 fatalities during the crossings.
Spain is deploying military personnel to the North African enclave of Ceuta following a significant surge of migrants overwhelming the territory’s border with Morocco. This response comes as officials confirm that at least 18 individuals have died during the perilous crossings.
The Spanish government announced that the armed forces will assist the Civil Guard in restoring order, as local officials expressed concerns that the city could no longer manage the influx of migrants. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska are expected to visit Ceuta as the government works to address the escalating crisis.
This surge represents one of the largest waves of migration to hit Ceuta since 2021, when over 8,000 individuals entered the Spanish territory within a span of two days, leading to a diplomatic dispute between Spain and Morocco. Rachid Sbihi, head of an association representing Spain’s Civil Guard officers in Ceuta, described the situation as “absolute chaos.” He noted, “It’s not possible to give precise numbers, but there are thousands of migrants crossing.”
Spain’s government delegation in Ceuta reported that at least 18 people died on Thursday, although officials did not provide immediate details regarding the circumstances surrounding these fatalities. The Associated Press reported that bodies were observed floating in the water as rescue and security operations continued.
Video footage from the area depicted large groups of migrants entering Ceuta through the Tarajal border, with many arriving by swimming around coastal barriers that separate Morocco from Spanish territory. While most of the migrants appeared to be young men, families with women and children were also among those making the crossing.
Spanish authorities indicated that Morocco is cooperating in efforts to regain control of the border. The Interior Ministry stated that Moroccan police have intercepted numerous migrants attempting to cross, and both governments are working to return those who entered the territory illegally as swiftly as possible.
While authorities have not pinpointed a single cause for the sudden surge, officials in Ceuta have suggested that a recent ruling by the Spanish Supreme Court, which limits the immediate return of migrants arriving by sea without due process, may have contributed to the situation. However, some migration advocates have questioned whether this ruling alone could account for the dramatic increase, suggesting that many migrants may not have been aware of the decision.
The crisis has implications beyond Spain’s borders. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has threatened to suspend Italy’s participation in the Schengen open-border agreement with Spain, stating that such a move would be necessary “to defend our borders and ensure the safety of our citizens.”
Ceuta, a small Spanish territory located on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast, has long been one of Europe’s most active migration flashpoints. Migrants from various parts of Africa frequently attempt to reach the enclave by swimming from Morocco or scaling the heavily fortified border fence in hopes of gaining entry into the European Union.
According to Spain’s Interior Ministry, nearly 3,000 migrants had entered Ceuta by land or sea this year through mid-July, prior to this week’s dramatic increase in crossings.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Spain’s Embassy in Washington, the Department of Homeland Security, the Center for Immigration Studies, and the Migration Policy Institute for further comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
