Spain deployed military units and additional police forces to the city of Ceuta on the Moroccan border following a massive migrant surge. According to a statement by the President of the Autonomous City of Ceuta, at least 34 people died trying to cross from Morocco by land and sea.
Thousands crossed into Ceuta by sea and land on Thursday, and entries continued overnight. Officials reported that most of the dead drowned during the sea crossing, while some died in a stampede at the breakwater fence near Tarajal Beach.
As Spanish security forces reinforced the area, Morocco also deployed security forces and water cannons to disperse crowds approaching the border. Footage from the Reuters news agency showed large groups, mostly young Moroccan men but also including women and children, scaling breakwaters and advancing onto roads inside Ceuta. A bus and seven cars were burned during clashes with security forces near the border.
Sanchez's statements and political reactions
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited the area on Friday and met with security officials and local administrators. Sanchez said that approximately 60,000 people had entered Ceuta in recent days, a figure more than half the local population. He pledged that the government was mobilizing all resources to respond to the situation and protect the security of Ceuta.
Sanchez described the situation as 'unexpected' and said the government would defend Ceuta 'like Madrid.' Asked when the migrants would be returned to Morocco, he replied, 'As soon as possible.' Citing a Supreme Court ruling, he indicated that legal changes might be needed 'to guarantee border returns in the most effective way.'
The migrant surge increased pressure on Sanchez ahead of next year's elections. Opposition People's Party leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo said, 'The situation in Ceuta is desperate. The government cannot look the other way... because we are facing a national security crisis.' Far-right Vox party leader Santiago Abascal labelled the crossings an 'invasion' and blamed the Sanchez government.
Reactions from Europe and the Schengen debate
Other European countries also expressed concern. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, 'The images from Ceuta are unacceptable. We cannot allow anyone to come to our union without following our rules. The dangerous crossings must stop immediately.'
France tightened controls at its border with Spain. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, stating that they were ready to take 'extraordinary measures' if necessary, said, 'Italy will not just stand by and watch... after these meetings we are ready to intervene with extraordinary measures, including suspending the Schengen Area with Spain, to protect borders and citizens' security.' Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani called for 'closing the Schengen Area to Spain.'
However, former EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell said such a step was not legally possible, stating, 'Under EU law, no member state can unilaterally suspend another's Schengen participation. This option does not exist in the Union's legal architecture.'
Ceuta's strategic location and legal background
Ceuta is a Spanish autonomous city located on the border with Morocco. Together with Melilla, it forms one of the two land borders between the European Union and Africa. As the only European territory on the continent after Africa's decolonization, Ceuta is protected by high border fences, surveillance systems, and a permanent security presence.
Ceuta officials attributed the latest surge to a ruling by Spain's Supreme Court this month. The ruling prevents migrants arriving by sea and being apprehended from being immediately returned without a legal process. However, this decision does not cover those arriving by land or crossing the border fence. Some migrant rights activists in Morocco questioned this account, noting that most migrants were not aware of the court ruling.
