Between Thursday and Friday, an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 migrants breached the border into the Spanish North African exclave of Ceuta, according to Spanish authorities. The Moroccan Interior Ministry stated that around 40,000 people were involved in the mass crossing at Ceuta, with an additional 1,135 migrants stopped while attempting to enter Melilla, Spain's other North African territory.

At least 72 people died during the border rush, including ten who drowned and one who died after falling from a rocky area, as confirmed by the Spanish government representative in Ceuta, Miguel Angel Perez. Moroccan officials are currently verifying these figures with their Spanish counterparts.

Spanish Civil Guard ships continued searching the waters around Ceuta for more bodies on Sunday, August 2nd, 2026. Following the surge, Spain installed a 500-meter floating barrier at the border with Morocco, after which migrant crossings into Ceuta reportedly stopped overnight.

The Moroccan Interior Ministry attributed the surge to misinformation spread on social media, human trafficking groups, and a Spanish court ruling that bans immediate returns of migrants intercepted at sea.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed support for Spain from the outset and confirmed via social media that most migrants who entered Ceuta have been returned to Morocco. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated that within 48 hours, the Spanish government had restored border control, provided humanitarian aid, repatriated virtually all irregular migrants, and prevented unauthorized movement toward continental Europe.

Ireland, holding the EU Presidency, announced plans to convene a meeting of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council on Tuesday, August 4th, 2026, to discuss developments in Ceuta.

The incident has been described as an "attack on the sovereignty and security of Spaniards," underscoring the gravity of the situation.

Sources