Overview
- A large movement of people crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, with reporters and officials describing chaotic land and sea entries that stretched local capacity on Thursday.
- Spanish authorities say at least nine migrants died trying to reach Ceuta by swimming and that reception centres are saturated, leaving hundreds sleeping outdoors and unaccompanied‑child facilities operating far beyond capacity.
- Madrid has sent soldiers and Coast Guard divers to reinforce the Civil Guard and announced that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Interior Minister Fernando Grande‑Marlaska will visit Ceuta to coordinate the response.
- Officials point to organised smuggling networks as drivers of the surge and some local politicians blame a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling limiting immediate sea pushbacks, a link that activists dispute as migrants are unlikely to know the decision.
- The crisis has prompted coordination with Moroccan authorities on returns and border control and has sparked calls from other EU governments for stronger action at the bloc’s external borders, including threats to reconsider Schengen arrangements.