On Thursday, July 31st, 2026, an estimated 50,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta amid chaotic scenes. This number represents more than half of Ceuta's usual population of just over 83,000, according to Spain's Instituto Nacional de Estadistica.

The surge followed an apparent breakdown of border controls between Morocco and Ceuta. Spain's Interior Ministry reported that by Friday evening, August 1st, 48,300 migrants had returned to Morocco, with hundreds more crossing back each hour.

Tragically, the Spanish government's representative in Ceuta confirmed that 57 bodies had been recovered on the Spanish side of the border, with fears that the death toll could be higher due to possible casualties in Morocco. Authorities said some migrants drowned, while others were crushed attempting to climb the breakwater supporting the border fence.

The influx may have been influenced by a recent Supreme Court ruling that barred authorities from summarily returning migrants who arrived by sea without due process, Territorial Policy Minister Angel Victor Torres said. He suggested this legal change may have encouraged more people to attempt the crossing.

In response, Italy has temporarily suspended the Schengen Agreement and reinstated border controls with Spain. Officials described this as an extraordinary measure to safeguard national security and prevent repercussions for their nation. Authorities emphasized that the measure will be kept only as long as necessary, with attention to minimizing impacts on summer tourism.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated his government is working with Moroccan and international authorities "to restore normalcy as soon as possible." The crisis has also highlighted the role of human trafficking networks, which have "spread like wildfire over the past few hours," deceiving many young people and leading some to their deaths.

According to Spain's Interior Ministry, Ceuta recorded 2,582 migrant arrivals by land during the first six months of 2026, up from 978 during the same period in 2025, indicating a rising trend prior to the recent surge.

Sources