Thousands of migrants breached Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in one of the largest mass crossings recorded in recent years.
According to Reuters and Spanish state TV, between 2,000 and 3,000 people entered the city of 85,000 in a single day. Video footage showed hundreds swimming through the Tarajal breakwater using inflatable tubes, while others forced open a border gate and ran into the city chanting “Long live Spain.” The sudden influx overwhelmed Guardia Civil officers stationed at the border.
The mass arrival has triggered a humanitarian emergency. Ceuta’s leader, Juan Jesus Vivas, said reception centres for minors are operating “several times over capacity.” Local businesses also felt the impact, with many shops shutting down as residents expressed fears of disturbances. Authorities are scrambling to provide shelter, food and medical aid to the new arrivals.
In response, the Spanish Interior Ministry announced it will deploy three army platoons, a diving unit, a military vessel and 200 special police officers to Ceuta by Friday. The ministry also vowed to carry out immediate deportations of those who entered illegally. The reinforcement marks an escalation in Spain’s border security posture along the Ceuta-Morocco frontier.
The incident recalls a similar surge in May 2021, when about 10,000 migrants entered Ceuta over several days. With Mediterranean migration routes under renewed pressure, officials say coordination with Moroccan authorities will be critical to prevent further mass crossings and to manage humanitarian needs in the enclave.
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*Credit: Reuters*
