At least 18 migrants die as thousands enter Spanish enclave of Ceuta amid border crisis

At least 18 migrants have died as thousands attempted to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in one of the largest migration surges to hit the territory in recent years.

The mass crossing, which began on Thursday and continued overnight, saw migrants attempting to enter the enclave by swimming around coastal breakwaters, using small boats and breaching sections of the border fence. The influx has overwhelmed local authorities, prompting Spain to deploy additional security personnel and emergency responders to the area.

Local officials described the situation as a humanitarian emergency, with reception centres operating beyond capacity and many new arrivals forced to sleep in parks, streets and other public spaces.

According to Rachid Sbihi, head of a local association representing Spain’s Civil Guard officers, most of the fatalities occurred near Tarajal Beach, close to the main border crossing between Morocco and Ceuta.

He said many migrants drowned while attempting to swim around the breakwaters, while others were caught in overcrowded conditions as large groups surged toward the border.

“People are still entering. The reinforcements that have arrived are only helping the injured and other humanitarian efforts. It’s chaotic,” Sbihi said.

Eyewitness footage from the area showed large groups of migrants, including families with women and children, making their way into the enclave as emergency workers rescued people from the water and treated those injured during the crossing.

In response to the crisis, the Spanish government deployed military personnel to support the Civil Guard and National Police in securing the border and assisting humanitarian operations.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska were also expected to visit Ceuta to assess the situation and coordinate the government’s response.

Ceuta’s regional authorities have appealed to Madrid for additional support, warning that local facilities are struggling to cope with the scale of the arrivals.

The latest incident has renewed concerns over migration across the western Mediterranean route. Together with Melilla, Ceuta is one of Spain’s two enclaves in North Africa and represents the European Union’s only land border with the African continent, making it a frequent destination for migrants seeking entry into Europe.

Authorities have continued search-and-rescue operations while working to determine the total number of arrivals and provide assistance to those affected. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths are also ongoing.