Spain: At least 57 people have died during a massive migration surge at the border between Morocco and the Spanish exclave of Ceuta.
Citing authorities in Ceuta, CNN reported that many of the fatalities occurred as people drowned while large crowds overwhelmed border guards along both land and sea routes on Thursday.
An estimated 50,000 to 60,000 migrants attempted to enter the small territory, which has a resident population of just 84,000, since Thursday morning, CNN reported, citing figures from Spain’s Interior Ministry and Ceuta’s regional government.
However, Spanish officials said the majority of those who crossed had returned to Morocco by Friday evening.
While Spanish officials stated their intention to swiftly deport those who entered illegally, they face significant legal obstacles due to a recent ruling by Spain’s Supreme Court prohibiting the return of sea-arriving migrants to Morocco, CNN reported.
According to CNN, the unprecedented influx prompted Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to travel directly to the exclave.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez defended his nation’s handling of irregular migration while calling for European unity, asserting that adherence to European Union treaties and data is non-negotiable.
In a post on X, Sanchez addressed criticism following recent border pressures, presenting official figures of irregular entries from 2021 to 2026 to compare Spain’s situation with other European entry points.
“Solidarity and empathy are optional. Respect for European treaties and data is not,” Sanchez wrote on X.
His remarks came after Italy temporarily suspended open-border travel with Spain following the major migrant surge, stating that the decision was taken to safeguard Italian citizens and protect European frontiers.
The foreign minister highlighted that the move is permitted under European Union regulations and had become “unavoidable” due to the border situation in Ceuta. The pause will remain in effect for one month starting Saturday, according to the Italian interior ministry.
The events in Ceuta triggered immediate border security adjustments across Europe.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced on X that he had directed additional inspections along the French-Spanish border.
“Starting this Friday, in addition to the resources already deployed daily, the reinforcements will be tripled, with 184 police officers mobilized along with enhanced drone surveillance. Starting tomorrow, they will be quintupled, bringing the total to 334 police officers and gendarmes in addition to the personnel usually mobilized. Aerial surveillance resources will also be strengthened with the deployment of 3 aircraft from the Border Police. Furthermore, patrols on trains will be more heavily mobilized along the Franco-Spanish rail axis,” he wrote.
European Union leadership also expressed disapproval. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on X that “we cannot allow anyone to come to our Union without abiding by our rules.”
