Spain Says Mass Ceuta Crossings Halted After 50,000 Enter and Dozens Die

Overview

• Ceuta saw a sudden wave of crossings that began on Thursday when videos showed hundreds swimming from Morocco and many breaching fences, overwhelming the small enclave's reception capacity.
• Spanish officials estimate roughly 50,000 people entered in the surge and say about 48,000 have returned to Morocco in coordinated operations over the following 48 hours.
• Authorities recovered dozens of bodies — official counts report up to 67 dead — after drownings and crushes during chaotic sea and fence crossings.
• Madrid deployed extra Guardia Civil officers, soldiers, naval patrols and installed a 500‑metre floating pneumatic barrier at the Tarajal breakwater to stop further sea entries and restore control.
• The crisis has prompted 22 EU leaders to seek an urgent interior‑ministers meeting and led some members, including Italy, to temporarily reintroduce border checks while officials debate court rulings, smuggling networks and next steps for EU-Morocco cooperation and humanitarian aid.