Overview
- Tens of thousands of migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta in a sudden rush on Thursday and Friday, overwhelming local services and prompting chaotic scenes on beaches and at breakwaters.
- Spanish authorities and rescue teams recovered 72 bodies after drownings and a fatal stampede, a figure confirmed by the government delegate to Ceuta.
- More than 48,300 people have since returned to Morocco, many voluntarily or escorted by Spanish forces, and the city has largely returned to normal activity.
- Madrid reinforced controls by deploying troops and Civil Guard units and installing a 500‑metre floating barrier at the Tarajal sea border to stop further irregular crossings.
- The crisis has triggered EU emergency talks called by 22 member states, strained relations with Italy after a temporary Schengen suspension, and renewed scrutiny of smuggling networks and Spain’s return procedures.