At least 18 Migrants Dead After Mass Crossing into Spanish Enclave Ceuta
Eighteen migrants died as thousands forced their way into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, prompting a military deployment and a visit by Spain’s prime minister and interior minister.
At least 18 migrants have died after attempting to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, where Spanish forces were deployed following a mass breach of the border with Morocco. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska are scheduled to travel to Ceuta for a site visit.
Rachid Sbihi, head of a local workers association representing Civil Guard officers, described the situation as a serious humanitarian crisis. He said reinforcements were primarily assisting the injured and providing humanitarian aid, while thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied children, were left without shelter, sleeping in parks and on sidewalks.
The fatalities include several drownings and deaths caused by a stampede at the breakwater fence on Tarajal beach. Video footage showed large crowds, mainly Moroccans, moving along the breakwaters and onto local roads, with families, women and children among them. Some individuals were observed shouting “Viva España!” while others attempted to return to Morocco.
Moroccan authorities have not commented on the incident, and the Moroccan Interior Ministry did not respond to inquiries. The surge in arrivals follows a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling that restricts immediate deportation of migrants who arrive by sea, though the ruling does not apply to land entries. Activists in Morocco suggested many migrants may be unaware of the legal change.
The incident has reverberated beyond Spain; Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned of possible suspension of Italy’s Schengen arrangements with Spain, citing border security concerns, even though Italy does not share a land border with Spain.