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Spain has ordered the deployment of its military to Ceuta after thousands of migrants crossed into the Spanish enclave from neighbouring Morocco, overwhelming
border authorities and leaving at least 18 people dead. The emergency deployment follows requests from local officials for immediate reinforcements after large crowds breached the frontier, creating what authorities described as one of the most serious migration crises to hit the territory in years. The Spanish government said the Armed Forces would assist the Civil Guard in restoring order and maintaining security across Ceuta. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is also expected to travel to the enclave alongside Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska as Madrid seeks to stabilise the rapidly evolving situation.
Thousands Cross As Border Security Collapses
Officials and witnesses described scenes of chaos after thousands of migrants entered Ceuta through the Tarajal border area. Rachid Sbihi, who heads the association representing Civil Guard officers stationed at the border, told The Associated Press that the frontier had effectively collapsed under the sheer volume of arrivals.
"The situation is absolute chaos," Sbihi said, adding that precise numbers were impossible to determine because migrants continued crossing throughout the day. Video footage from the scene showed large groups, mainly young men but also women and children, walking around breakwaters at Tarajal beach before entering Spanish territory.
Authorities confirmed that at least 18 people died during Thursday's crossings, although officials did not immediately provide details regarding the circumstances of the fatalities. Images from the area showed bodies floating in the water, while local authorities noted that dozens of migrants have died attempting to reach Ceuta this year.
Spain And Morocco Coordinate Response
Spain's Interior Ministry said Moroccan authorities were cooperating closely to contain the situation, with Moroccan security forces preventing additional migrants from crossing the border. Both governments agreed to work together to facilitate the return of people who had entered Ceuta illegally as quickly as possible.
While local authorities requested that Madrid declare a national emergency, the Spanish government said existing legislation governing national emergencies does not classify migration flows as a national security threat. Nevertheless, officials stressed that all relevant agencies were coordinating to restore order and strengthen border management.
Reception Centres Overwhelmed
Ceuta's regional leader Juan Jesús Vivas warned that migrant reception facilities had exceeded capacity even before Thursday's mass crossing. Hundreds of migrants were already sleeping outdoors after more than 1,500 people had entered the enclave during the previous week, with thousands more arriving overnight and throughout Thursday.
Vivas called on the central government to deploy additional police officers and military personnel to guarantee border security and public safety. He argued that reinforcing the frontier was essential to restore control and prevent further deterioration of the security situation.
Crisis Revives Memories Of 2021 Border Surge
The latest developments have revived memories of the May 2021 Ceuta migration crisis, when more than 8,000 migrants crossed into the enclave within two days, triggering a diplomatic dispute between Spain and Morocco. At that time, Rabat was accused of easing border controls following tensions over Spain's decision to admit Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali for medical treatment.
Officials have not identified the precise cause of the latest surge. Although Ceuta authorities suggested that a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling concerning the treatment of migrants arriving by sea may have influenced migration patterns, activists in Morocco questioned that explanation, arguing that most migrants were unlikely to have been aware of the legal decision.
Ceuta remains one of Europe's most sensitive migration gateways due to its location on the North African coast. As authorities work to regain control of the border, Spain faces the dual challenge of addressing an unfolding humanitarian emergency while reinforcing security along one of the European Union's busiest external frontiers.
