At Least 18 Migrants Die as Thousands Cross Into Spain’s Ceuta

Ceuta, Spain, July 2026 : At least 18 migrants have died while attempting to reach the Spanish exclave of Ceuta after thousands breached the border with Morocco and entered the small Spanish territory, triggering a major humanitarian and security response.

Spanish authorities deployed military personnel to assist with the emergency as large numbers of migrants gathered across Ceuta. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was expected to visit the territory on Friday along with Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska to assess the situation.

Rachid Sbihi, head of a local workers’ association representing Civil Guard officers, described the developments as a “serious humanitarian crisis”. He said people were continuing to cross into Ceuta, while reinforcements arriving in the territory were primarily assisting with injuries and humanitarian operations.

The sudden influx left thousands of migrants without adequate shelter. Many, including unaccompanied children, were reportedly sleeping in parks and on sidewalks, while others wandered through the streets. Sbihi described the situation as chaotic.

According to local officials, many of the 18 people who died drowned while attempting to cross the waters separating Morocco from Ceuta. Others reportedly died during a stampede near the breakwater fence at Tarajal beach as large numbers attempted to enter Spanish territory.

Video footage from Thursday showed crowds, mostly believed to be Moroccan nationals, moving along the breakwaters at Tarajal beach and onto roads in Ceuta. While many appeared to be young men, families accompanied by women and young children were also seen among those arriving.

Some migrants shouted “Viva España!” as they entered the territory. Journalists also observed large groups gathered on the Moroccan side of the border, while some migrants who had reached Ceuta were seen heading back toward Morocco.

The immediate reason for the sudden mass crossing remained unclear. Moroccan authorities had not publicly commented on the situation, and Morocco’s Interior Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for information.

The escalation followed a surge in attempts to reach Ceuta by sea on Wednesday, with migrants attempting to swim from Morocco. Ceuta authorities had previously suggested that a recent ruling by Spain’s Supreme Court may have contributed to the increase in arrivals. The ruling prevented authorities from immediately returning migrants who arrive by sea without following due process.

However, the ruling does not apply to people entering Spain by land, including those who climb the border fence. Activists in Morocco have questioned whether the court decision was responsible for the surge, noting that many migrants may not have been aware of the legal ruling.

The developments also prompted concern elsewhere in Europe. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni threatened to suspend Italy’s open-border Schengen arrangements with Spain, citing the need to protect Italy’s borders and ensure public safety, despite the two countries not sharing a land border.

Spain remains one of the principal entry points into Europe for migrants seeking better economic opportunities or fleeing conflict and violence. Ceuta’s location on the northern coast of Africa makes it a frequent destination for migrants attempting to enter the European Union.

Many attempt to swim from the Moroccan town of Fnideq, covering around 5 kilometres to reach Spanish territory. Others try to cross from nearby Belyounech, where the distance to Ceuta is shorter.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)