49,000 Migrants Enter Spanish Territory of Ceuta Over 24 Hours
Image source, Reuters
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Officials reported that nearly 49,000 migrants crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, located in North Africa, from Morocco via land and sea routes within the last 24 hours.
On Thursday, thousands of people were seen swimming across the sea towards the city, with videos and photos circulated widely. Local media also reported arrivals continuing overnight.
Authorities confirmed that at least 18 people have died in recent days trying to reach the area.
Earlier this month, Spain’s Supreme Court ruled that migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to reach Ceuta or Melilla cannot be immediately returned to Morocco.
With the surge in attempts to enter Spanish territory, local authorities have appealed to Madrid for assistance.
Border in Disarray
Image source, Reuters
The border control in Ceuta was in chaos on Thursday as thousands of migrants surged in.
Spain subsequently deployed armed forces to tighten security in Ceuta and Melilla. Reports indicate that between 300 and 400 people entered Melilla on Thursday night.
Spanish officials estimate that the number of migrants entering Ceuta within 24 hours could exceed half of the city’s total population.
Official figures show Ceuta’s population is approximately 83,600.
Local authorities describe the sudden influx as a “national humanitarian crisis” due to the overwhelming number of migrants.
Local media also reported clashes between migrants and police at the border continuing late Friday night.
Thousands of Minors Among Migrants
Image source, EPA/Shutterstock
Most of the recent migrants are young men, but the crowd also includes some women, children, and infants.
Authorities estimate that at least 7,000 minors were among those who crossed illegally into Ceuta during the past 24 hours.
Typically, migrants attempt entry after swimming in from more distant coastal areas, but this time they managed to reach near the border fence more easily.
Initially, some tried to enter by climbing over the seawall into Ceuta, but most swam around to a different shore.
It remains unclear why Moroccan border guards, whose presence at the time is not well documented, did not stop or disperse the large migrant groups.
The surge of migrants swimming towards Ceuta had already been increasing in recent days before Thursday’s large influx, and news of successful crossings spread rapidly.
Where Is Ceuta?
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Ceuta is located on the northern coast of Morocco and is separated from mainland Spain by the Strait of Gibraltar.
Both Ceuta and Melilla have historically been flashpoints for migrants attempting to reach Europe.
If the official estimates are accurate, this surge represents the highest number of entries into Ceuta since May 2021.
Back then, during diplomatic tensions over Western Sahara sovereignty, Moroccan authorities allowed roughly 8,000 people to cross the border.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez recently visited Algeria, which supports Western Sahara independence, escalating diplomatic tensions with Morocco.
However, Spain’s interior ministry says it is working with Morocco to quickly repatriate those entering illegally.
Prime Minister Sánchez plans to visit Ceuta on Friday.
Diplomatic Dispute
Morocco claims sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla, making these cities long-standing subjects of diplomatic contention between Morocco and Spain.
Madrid regards both enclaves as integral parts of Spain.
These two cities are officially recognized as autonomous cities of Spain.
They are the only European Union territories on the African continent aside from the mainland borders of Africa.