Overview
- Spanish authorities say roughly 70,000–80,000 people crossed into Ceuta in a mass surge on July 30–31, overwhelming hospitals, shelters and local services and leaving official counts of those still in the city in sharp dispute.
- On Sunday thousands of residents marched under the slogan 'Basta ya, Ceuta no se rinde' to demand clearer government action and transparency over border security and reception capacity.
- The government reports 1,342 unaccompanied minors who are being moved and placed under court and social services orders while police have opened criminal investigations, including a probe into an alleged sexual assault of a child.
- Madrid has temporarily reinstated controls on travelers from Italy as part of reciprocal Schengen measures, a move that has escalated diplomatic tensions with Rome.
- Local business groups say commerce fell by about 70% and hotels saw near-total cancellations after the cancellation of the Feria, raising fears of lasting reputational damage and renewed calls for urgent national and EU support.