Ceuta sees 60,000 migrants cross, half return as Spain deploys troops

In the span of 24 hours an estimated 60,000 migrants surged across the Morocco‑Ceuta frontier, a figure equivalent to roughly 70 % of the enclave’s population. The sudden influx forced Madrid to send armed forces to the border for the first time since the 2021 crisis, and roughly half of those who arrived are already on the move back to Morocco. The scale of the breach and the rapid reversal of many arrivals have turned Ceuta into the focal point of a Europe‑wide security debate.

Ceuta’s president, Juan Jesús Vivas, announced the crossing count on Friday, July 31, 2026, describing the situation as “absolutely unsustainable”. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez arrived the same day, denouncing the episode as an “attack” and a “violation of Spain’s territorial integrity”. The Prime Minister’s remarks echo his earlier description on Yahoo News, where he called the surge an “attack” on the nation.

Authorities on both sides of the fence reported fatalities. The AP piece cites at least 18 migrants who died while trying to reach Ceuta, including drownings and a stampede at the breakwater fence near Tarajal Beach. The Yahoo report raises the death toll to 34, stating that many perished by drowning. Both outlets agree that the deaths occurred amid chaotic attempts to bypass the barrier by swimming around or climbing the fence.

Spanish forces responded swiftly. The deployment of troops included additional police units tasked with cordoning off beaches and dispersing crowds with tear gas. The move mirrors the May 2021 deployment when “more than 8,000 people” crossed in 36 hours, according to the Yahoo source. Military presence now reinforces the enclave’s border, which sits on the Strait of Gibraltar at the Mediterranean’s gateway.

While the inbound flow peaked on Thursday and early Friday, the outflow began almost immediately. The Spanish Interior Ministry, after initially withholding its own figures, estimated “some 50,000 people had crossed” and that “37,500 had already returned” by Friday afternoon. The Yahoo article, relying on RTVE, reported “around 25,000” had voluntarily gone back by early afternoon. Both numbers illustrate a rapid reversal, driven by grim conditions inside Ceuta and coordinated return efforts with Moroccan authorities.

Local conditions deteriorated fast. The Temporary Center for Immigrants (CETI), designed for 512 occupants, overflowed; Pedro Mariscal, head of Ceuta’s food bank, said his organization could not feed everyone. Residents took to the streets on Thursday night, accusing Madrid of losing control, while some shops shut their doors over fears of looting. Rachid Sbihi, who leads a workers association for Civil Guard officers, warned of a “serious humanitarian crisis” with unaccompanied children sleeping on sidewalks and parks.

Politicians across Europe reacted sharply. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen denounced the images as “unacceptable” and called for swift deportations under EU law. Italy’s Giorgia Meloni hinted at suspending Spain’s Schengen participation, a move echoed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, all urging Spain to regain control quickly. France’s interior minister Laurent Nuñez ordered reinforced checks along the French‑Spanish border.

Behind the surge, analysts point to a mix of factors. The AP report links the flood of arrivals to a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling that bars summary deportations of sea‑arriving migrants, a decision that “spread like wildfire” through smuggling networks, according to Sánchez. The Yahoo piece adds that “poverty and limited prospects for young Moroccans” fuel the desire to seek work in Europe, a sentiment echoed by a 21‑year‑old migrant from Tetouan who told reporters that low wages at home pushed him to cross, only to find no opportunities in Ceuta.

Moroccan officials maintain a distance from the breach. The Moroccan interior ministry did not comment on the numbers, while ambassador Karima Benyaich said the situation unfolded “against Morocco’s wishes”. Yet human‑rights activist Achraf Maimouni observed that “despite the heavy police presence, people crossed through the waterway, while the land border remained closed”, highlighting a possible gap in Moroccan enforcement.

Spain’s response includes technical measures. Sánchez announced the installation of floating buoys to deter swimmers, alongside fast‑track procedures aimed at returning irregular entrants quickly. He assured that “many migrants are already leaving”, and pledged coordination with Moroccan authorities. The EU border agency Frontex, while not yet called upon, said it stood ready to assist if requested.

What to watch next

• Potential EU summit discussions on Schengen enforcement, especially after statements from Italy, Germany, Sweden and Finland.
• Further returns from Ceuta: Spanish authorities expect “hundreds more” to go back each hour, according to the Interior Ministry.
• Legal challenges to the Supreme Court ruling and any adjustments to Spain’s migration policy that could affect future border dynamics.
• Possible diplomatic talks between Madrid and Rabat regarding coordination on border security and migration flows.

Timeline of key events

• Early Friday, July 31 – Ceuta President Vivas announces 60,000 crossed; Spanish Interior Ministry releases its own estimate of 50,000.
• Friday morning – Prime Minister Sánchez visits Ceuta, labels surge an “attack”, and vows military deployment.
• Friday afternoon – Spanish troops and police secure beaches; floating buoys and additional checkpoints announced.
• Friday evening – Reports emerge that roughly half of the migrants have begun returning to Morocco, with figures ranging from 25,000 to 37,500.

The episode has turned Ceuta into a flashpoint for Europe's migration debate, forcing Madrid to balance humanitarian concerns, domestic security, and EU expectations. As troops maintain a presence and return operations accelerate, the next few days will reveal whether the enclave can stabilize or if the crisis will spill over into broader EU border policy discussions.