The Spanish government has deployed its military to the North African territory of Ceuta to restore order following a massive surge of migrants that led to a severe humanitarian crisis. Officials confirmed that at least 34 people have died during the chaotic events that unfolded between Thursday and Friday morning, as tens of thousands of individuals breached the frontier with Morocco and poured into the tiny Spanish territory.
Ceuta President Juan Jesús Vivas described the situation as "absolutely unsustainable," noting that approximately 60,000 migrants had entered the tiny territory. This influx represents roughly 70% of the city's regular population. Spanish state broadcaster RTVE captured footage of burned vehicles on the Moroccan side of the border, following reports of violent clashes. The Spanish Interior Ministry announced on Friday that authorities have already returned more than 25,000 of the migrants, with departures occurring at a rapid rate of 150 people per minute.
Rachid Sbihi, who leads a local workers association representing Civil Guard officers, characterized the scene as a "serious humanitarian crisis." He reported that thousands of people, including unaccompanied children, were left sleeping in parks and on sidewalks, while others were seen roaming the streets aimlessly. Sbihi noted that while reinforcements were present to assist the injured and manage humanitarian needs, the situation remained chaotic, with people still entering the territory. According to Sbihi, the fatalities occurred due to a combination of drownings and a stampede that took place at the breakwater fence near Tarajal beach, an urban location adjacent to the Moroccan border checkpoint.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez addressed the crisis during a Friday morning news conference, stating that the government stands firmly with the city of Ceuta. He condemned the events as an attack on Spain’s territorial integrity, describing the breach as "deplorable" and deserving of the strongest possible rejection and condemnation. He emphasized that Ceuta is a Spanish city and the government would act accordingly.
Video footage from Thursday showed throngs of people, mainly Moroccans, walking around the breakwaters onto local roads. While most appeared to be young men, there were also families with women and small children. Some were heard shouting "Viva España!" to a freelance photographer working for The Associated Press. Late Thursday into Friday, the photographer observed people amassed on the Moroccan side of the border trying to cross into Ceuta, while others were seen walking from Ceuta toward Morocco in an attempt to return. It was not immediately clear what prompted such a large number of people to cross into the territory.
Ceuta, a Spanish autonomous city since 1580, shares the only land border between the European Union and Africa, along with the larger territory of Melilla located about 250 miles or 400 kilometers to the east. It is home to a diverse population of Christians, Muslims, and residents of both Spanish and Moroccan heritage who typically live in relative harmony. Morocco does not officially recognize Ceuta or Melilla as Spanish territory, often referring to them as occupied lands.
Local authorities in Ceuta had previously linked the increase in migrants to a Spanish Supreme Court ruling earlier this month that barred authorities from immediately returning migrants who arrive by sea without due process. However, this ruling does not apply to migrants who enter Spain by land, such as by climbing over the border fence. Some activists in Morocco have expressed doubt that the ruling was the primary driver, arguing that most migrants would have been unaware of such legal decisions. Prior to the escalation, President Vivas had called for the national government to declare an emergency on grounds of national security, requesting more police and the deployment of the army to guarantee the inviolability of the frontier. The Interior Ministry stated that while current legislation does not consider migration flows as a risk to national security, government agencies are coordinating to respond to the situation in Ceuta with speed and efficacy.
He had warned that migrant reception centers were already overwhelmed on Wednesday, with hundreds of people sleeping on the streets. Thousands or even tens of thousands are believed to have arrived since then.
