At least 34 people have lost their lives following a massive influx of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, approximately 49,000 migrants entered Ceuta via land and sea routes within the last 24 hours. Officials have confirmed the recovery of numerous bodies from the surrounding waters.
Reports indicate that the city, which has a population of roughly 85,000, saw an influx of migrants exceeding half of its total population in a single day. Spanish authorities have disclosed that approximately 7,000 of those who arrived are children. Footage circulating on social media shows thousands of people attempting to scale border fences, while others reached the territory by sea. Moroccan security forces reportedly utilized water cannons to disperse crowds gathering near the border.
The Spanish government has deployed additional police and military forces to Ceuta and Melilla to restore control over the situation. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced that migrants who entered the country illegally will be returned as quickly as possible in accordance with legal procedures.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has visited Ceuta to assess the situation on the ground. The incident has reignited debates within the European Union regarding migration policy. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has proposed emergency measures concerning border security, a stance criticized by Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares, who labeled the remarks as unacceptable.
Ceuta and Melilla, Spain's two autonomous cities on the North African coast, serve as the only land borders between the European Union and the African continent. These territories have historically been focal points for migration pressures, often becoming flashpoints in diplomatic relations between Spain and Morocco regarding border control and regional stability.
