Tens of thousands of migrants have entered the Spanish city of Ceuta from Morocco, leading to a surge in border crossings and the deployment of Spanish armed forces.
Key facts
- •Ceuta's President Juan Jesús Vivas stated that the number of arrivals amounted to approximately 70% of the city's population of 83,600.
- •Spain's Interior Ministry reported that over 25,000 people returned to Morocco between Friday morning and 13:00 local time.
- •Between 300 and 400 migrants were reported to have crossed into the Spanish city of Melilla overnight.
- •Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez blamed criminal networks for manipulating information to encourage the surge.
- •The current surge follows a 2021 event where approximately 8,000 people crossed the border during a diplomatic dispute.
Spanish authorities report that tens of thousands of migrants have entered the North African city of Ceuta since Thursday. Ceuta's President Juan Jesús Vivas described the situation as unsustainable, while Spain's Interior Ministry estimates that 50,000 people arrived in the territory. In response, the Spanish government has deployed armed forces to bolster security in Ceuta and the nearby city of Melilla.
By the numbers
Border Situation and Security Response
The influx of migrants caused chaotic scenes as border controls appeared to break down. Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez, during a visit to Ceuta, stated that the government intends to reinforce the border with Morocco. He attributed the surge to criminal networks spreading incorrect information and noted that Moroccan authorities are cooperating with plans to return those who entered illegally. By Friday afternoon, the Spanish Interior Ministry reported that more than 25,000 people had left Ceuta to return to Morocco. The ministry noted a departure rate of approximately 150 people per minute.
Historical Context and Recent Trends
Ceuta and Melilla, which have been under Spanish administration since the 15th century, represent the European Union's only land borders with Africa. These territories have historically been a point of diplomatic tension between Spain and Morocco. Migration data from the UN indicates that crossings into these territories have been increasing. Prior to this event, 2,826 people had crossed into Ceuta and 181 into Melilla by July 15 of this year. These figures represent a significant rise compared to previous years, which saw 994 arrivals in 2025, 476 in 2024, and 467 in 2023.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC World.
