Ceuta Overwhelmed as Up to 60,000 Migrants Cross from Morocco

The migration crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta has intensified dramatically, with Bulgarian journalist Danail Alekov describing the situation on the ground as being far more severe than official figures initially suggested.

Speaking to NOVA from the region, Alekov said the migrant flow from Morocco had continued for hours without interruption. “The situation is extremely tense. The figures circulating in the media do not correspond to reality,” he said, explaining that after crossing into Morocco he walked for nearly three hours before finding transportation, while witnessing continuous groups of migrants moving in an organized manner toward Ceuta.

According to Alekov, the movement of people continued well into the night. “Even when I finally reached the hotel, the groups were still heading toward the border. I do not want to speculate, but from what I saw, we may be talking about a six-figure number of people,” he said. He added that the estimate included not only migrants approaching the border fence but also large camps established on surrounding hills, where more people were constantly arriving by organized transport.

The latest estimates from Spanish authorities, however, indicate that nearly 49,000 migrants entered Ceuta from Morocco within 24 hours. Ceuta's regional president, Juan Jesus Vivas, later said the total number of arrivals may have reached around 60,000, equivalent to almost two-thirds of the enclave's population of about 84,000 people. He also reported that at least 34 people are believed to have died attempting the crossing.

Spanish media described the city as descending into chaos within hours. Streets filled with barefoot migrants, public parks became makeshift camps, and beaches were crowded with people who had crossed by sea. Local officials called the situation a national emergency, while humanitarian organizations described it as a major humanitarian crisis.

Alekov said the pressure on the city was unlike anything seen during the previous migration crisis in 2021, when around 10,000 people crossed into Ceuta over two days. “The streets are crowded. There are people at every intersection, on side streets and in passages. The tension among the local population is palpable,” he said.

Residents have already staged spontaneous protests against the Spanish government's handling of the crisis. Alekov noted that Ceuta's autonomous authorities cannot independently close the border or introduce additional security measures because such decisions must be made by Madrid.

Although military personnel have been deployed, Alekov said their role is focused mainly on securing the land border, while a growing number of migrants are attempting to reach Spanish territory by sea. “There is an army, but it only guards the land border. After the Supreme Court's decision, migrants who cross by water cannot be returned in the same way,” he explained, adding that coast guard vessels patrol the shoreline but have limited powers.

The recent surge followed a ruling by Spain's Supreme Court stating that migrants intercepted after reaching Spanish territory by sea cannot be automatically returned to Morocco and instead require individual legal procedures. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez argued that criminal trafficking networks deliberately distorted the court's decision to encourage illegal crossings.

Sanchez described the events as “a violation of Spain's territorial integrity” and pledged that the government would use all available resources to restore order. He announced the creation of a temporary reception center to process migrants, plans to reinforce maritime border barriers, and closer coordination with Moroccan authorities to accelerate returns where legally possible.

The prime minister also rejected accusations that Spain's migration policy had encouraged the crisis, insisting that illegal migration to Spain had fallen by more than 30% overall in recent years. He argued that organized smuggling networks had spread misleading information about the legal consequences of entering Ceuta by sea.

The crisis has quickly evolved into a broader European issue. Italy called for Spain to be temporarily suspended from the Schengen area, prompting a diplomatic dispute after Spain summoned the Italian ambassador over the remarks. France tightened controls along its border with Spain, while Germany stressed that protecting the EU's external borders remains essential for combating illegal migration.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the scenes in Ceuta “unacceptable,” saying dangerous crossings must stop, human smuggling networks must be dismantled, and returns should be carried out swiftly under existing EU rules. Belgium also voiced support for Spain, emphasizing that pressure on one EU external border is a challenge for the entire bloc.

Spanish authorities estimate that about 25,000 migrants had already returned voluntarily or through coordinated efforts to Morocco by Friday, although officials cautioned that figures remain fluid as the emergency continues.

Legal experts also noted that despite political criticism from several European governments, migrants arriving in Ceuta do not automatically gain free access to the rest of the Schengen area. Under Spain's special Schengen arrangements for Ceuta and Melilla, additional border checks remain in place before anyone can travel onward to mainland Spain or other EU countries.