Moroccan security forces clash with migrants attempting to cross into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta near the town of Fnideq, on the Morocco-Spain border, on July 31, 2026.
More than 60,000 migrants crossed overnight Thursday from Morocco into Spain’s north African enclave of Ceuta.
A police source who spoke to APF said many came in by swimming around the small border barrier that meets the Mediterranean Sea.
Hundreds of people — men, women and children — have been seen entering Ceuta by swimming around a border barrier with Morocco to enter the Spanish exclave, discarding flotation rings and clothes used in the risky passage.
The sudden massive influx has sparked an international crisis for Spain’s government, drawing criticism from Italy and Finland and prompting France to tighten checks on its border with Spain.
Madrid had sent troops and more police, including divers, drones and boats, to boost security in Ceuta.
Sanchez and his interior minister arrived on Friday to visit the enclave’s Tarajal border.
On Friday, hundreds of migrants, mostly young men, were hanging around near the border and in the town while others were turning back to Morocco, saying “there are too many people here”.
As of Friday, 18 people have died attempting to reach the Spanish enclave, the police source said.
