At least 18 migrants have died after tens of thousands breached the frontier between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, triggering a political crisis for Madrid and criticism from other EU countries.
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Key facts
- At least 18 migrants have died attempting to reach Ceuta, with some drowning and others caught in a crush, according to an official cited by the Guardian.
- Around 49,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta from Morocco in a matter of hours, the Guardian reported; a regional leader cited by Al Jazeera put the figure at 60,000.
- Spain deployed military and police reinforcements to Ceuta on Thursday.
- Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was expected to visit Ceuta on Friday alongside Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska.
- The EU chief called the situation 'unacceptable,' and France said it would tighten its borders with Spain.
At least 18 migrants have died trying to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta after thousands of people breached the border with Morocco and poured into the small territory, according to reports from NPR, the Guardian and Al Jazeera. Some of those who died drowned while others were caught up in a crush, an official said, according to the Guardian.
The crisis boiled over on Thursday and overnight, NPR reported. The Guardian said around 49,000 migrants entered the tiny territory from Morocco in a matter of hours, arriving by swimming across from the neighbouring country or scaling the high border fence. A regional leader cited by Al Jazeera put the number of people who crossed by land and sea at 60,000.
Spain sent military and police reinforcements to Ceuta on Thursday in response to the influx, NPR and the Guardian reported. The large number of arrivals caught the city of 85,000 off guard, with thousands of people sleeping on streets or in parks, according to the Guardian.
One local police association described the situation as a ‘serious humanitarian crisis,’ the Guardian reported. The incident has triggered a political crisis for the Madrid government and unleashed a barrage of criticism from other EU countries.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was expected to visit Ceuta on Friday morning alongside Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, according to the Guardian. Al Jazeera reported that the EU chief called the situation ‘unacceptable.’
Other European governments have responded critically, with France and Italy among those directing criticism at Spain, the Guardian reported. Al Jazeera said France announced it would tighten its borders with Spain in the wake of the crossings.
Why it matters
The mass crossing into Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on the North African coast, highlights ongoing pressure on Europe's southern borders and the human cost of dangerous migration routes. The scale of arrivals has strained a small city and sparked a wider political dispute within the EU over how member states manage migration.
Frequently asked questions
How many people crossed into Ceuta?
The Guardian reported around 49,000 migrants entered the territory in a matter of hours, while a regional leader cited by Al Jazeera put the figure at 60,000 crossing by land and sea.
How did the migrants die?
According to an official cited by the Guardian, some of those who died drowned while others were caught up in a crush.
How did Spain respond?
Spain deployed military and police reinforcements to Ceuta on Thursday, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was expected to visit the enclave on Friday morning with Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska.
Timeline
- Spain’s PM visits Ceuta after 57 migrants die breaching border from Morocco
Al Jazeera: Regional leader says 60,000 crossed into Ceuta by land and sea as EU chief calls situation 'unacceptable'.
- Spain PM to visit Ceuta after 19 migrants die breaching border from Morocco
Al Jazeera: Tens of thousands reportedly cross from Morocco to Ceuta as France says it will tighten its borders with Spain.
- Spain PM to visit Ceuta after 34 migrants die breaching border from Morocco
Al Jazeera: Regional leader says 60,000 crossed into Ceuta by land and sea as EU chief calls situation 'unacceptable'.
- Spain’s PM visits Ceuta after 34 migrants die breaching border from Morocco
Al Jazeera: Regional leader says 60,000 crossed into Ceuta by land and sea as EU chief calls situation 'unacceptable'.
- At least 18 die as 49,000 people cross to Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco
The Guardian World: Some drowned and others caught up in crush, official says, as incident prompts criticism of Spain from France and Italy At least 18 people have died trying to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta after around 49,000 migrants entered the tiny territory from Morocco in a matter of ho
- At least 18 die as 49,000 cross to Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco
The Guardian World: Some drowned and others caught up in crush, official says, and thousands sleep on streets or in parks At least 18 people have died trying to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta after about 49,000 migrants breached the border with Morocco and poured into the tiny territory. Spain s
- At least 18 die after breach of border between Morocco and Spanish exclave of Ceuta
NPR News: At least 18 migrants have died trying to reach the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, where Spain deployed its military after thousands of people breached the border with Morocco and poured into the territory.
- At least 18 die after breach of border between Morocco and Spanish territory of Ceuta
NPR News: At least 18 migrants have died trying to reach the Spanish territory of Ceuta after thousands of people breached the frontier with Morocco and poured in. The crisis boiled over Thursday and overnight.