Ceuta, a small Spanish exclave in North Africa, began returning to normal over the weekend of August 1-2, 2026, after an extraordinary migrant surge that saw as many as 60,000 people enter from Morocco within two days. Most migrants had walked back to Morocco by Sunday, while some remained, attempting to blend in and stay.

Spanish civil guard ships continued searching the waters near the urban beach where the migrants had entered. Authorities reported at least 72 migrant deaths, including drownings and fatalities caused by a stampede while crossing a breakwater barrier.

The city of 84,000 residents saw shops reopen and its usual mix of locals and tourists return to cafes and terraces. However, Ceuta, known for its cultural diversity, is still grappling with the aftermath of the border surge, with local opinions divided on the causes and responsibility.

Mohamad Abdelkader Driss, a 44-year-old waiter in Ceuta, stated, “It's not the young men's fault. If you open the border, of course everyone comes in, but the young men aren't to blame.”

Pope Leo XIV expressed concern on Sunday, August 2, 2026, saying he was “following with concern the alarming situation in Ceuta, asking God … that solutions of peace, stability and justice may be found.” Migration has been a key focus for the Pope, highlighted during his recent visit to the Canary Islands, one of Europe's main migrant entry points.

Residents continue to face the humanitarian, political, and social consequences of the surge despite the return to relative normalcy.

Sources