Thousands of people spent the night on beaches, waiting by fences or wading through the sea in the hope of reaching Europe, as an estimated 49,000 migrants crossed into Spain's enclave of Ceuta in just 24 hours.
By Friday morning, Spain and Morocco had reinforced security around Ceuta after an unprecedented surge saw an estimated 49,000 migrants cross into the Spanish enclave by land and sea in just 24 hours.
Officials said at least 34 people died during the crossings, with bodies recovered from the water.
The dramatic scenes have triggered a humanitarian and political crisis, while highlighting mounting pressure on one of Europe's most sensitive borders.
Ceuta, along with the nearby Spanish enclave of Melilla, forms the European Union's only land border with Africa. The two territories, both on Morocco's northern coast, have long been flashpoints for migration.
However, officials said the latest influx was unlike anything seen before. With a population of around 85,000, Ceuta received more than half that number again in a single day. Spanish authorities said around 7,000 of those who crossed were children.
Videos showed thousands of people swimming around the border fence or making the dangerous journey along the coastline. Others climbed over barriers or entered through border crossings as security forces struggled to cope.
By Friday, Moroccan security forces had deployed water cannon and pushed back crowds gathering near the crossing points. Burnt-out vehicles remained near the border following overnight clashes.
Spain has deployed additional police officers and armed forces personnel to Ceuta and Melilla as it works with Morocco to regain control of the border.
The Interior Ministry said migrants who entered illegally would be returned "as soon as possible", while respecting court rulings and their legal rights.
The surge came just weeks after Spain's Supreme Court ruled that migrants intercepted at sea while trying to reach Ceuta or Melilla cannot be immediately returned to Morocco under special border procedures.
Territorial Policy Minister Ángel Víctor Torres said the government had responded quickly and would continue processing returns within the law.
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez travelled to Ceuta on Friday alongside Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska.
The crisis has reopened divisions across Europe over migration policy.
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned her government was prepared "to intervene with extraordinary measures to defend the borders and the safety of citizens, including the suspension of the Schengen Area with Spain".
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also criticised Spain's recent immigration policies, arguing they encouraged human trafficking.
Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares rejected the criticism, calling Tajani's remarks "inappropriate". He said Spain expected "solidarity and not partisan demagoguery" from its European partners and announced he would summon the Italian ambassador in protest.
Ceuta and Melilla have experienced repeated waves of attempted crossings over the years as migrants fleeing conflict, poverty and instability seek a route into Europe.
The last major surge came in 2021, when around 10,000 people entered Ceuta over two days. Officials said the latest influx is the largest the enclave has experienced since then and could mark one of the biggest single-day border crossings into the European Union in recent years.
Human rights groups have urged both Spain and Morocco to ensure migrants are treated with dignity and have access to humanitarian support, warning that local resources in Ceuta are already under severe strain.
Iran on Saturday denounced U.S. plans to announce new sanctions that could put further strain on the Islamic Repub...
Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan have elevated bilateral ties with a Treaty on Eternal Friendship signed by Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev...
Nordic and Baltic leaders arrived in Kyiv for Ukraine’s Flag Day on Sunday as Russia continued its drone campaign and Kyiv warned of a potent...
Russia is open to listening to new proposals on how to reach a settlement on the Ukraine conflict, a senior Russian diplomat said, but any proposals should reflect the "realities on the ground".
Iran on Saturday denounced U.S. plans to announce new sanctions that could put further strain on the Islamic Republic's economy and have an impact on its most important trading partners including China.
A large-scale drone attack has hit Russia's Samara region, damaging facilities and disrupting operations at an Ozon logistics complex, according to regional authorities and the company.
Nordic and Baltic leaders arrived in Kyiv for Ukraine’s Flag Day on Sunday as Russia continued its drone campaign and Kyiv warned of a potential new Russian mobilisation.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran was not ready to make what he called the "right deal" with Washington as tensions persisted over the war and the Strait of Hormuz.
Nordic and Baltic leaders arrived in Kyiv for Ukraine’s Flag Day on Sunday as Russia continued its drone campaign and Kyiv warned of a potential new Russian mobilisation.
Syria expects negotiations with Israel over a security agreement to resume soon despite deep mistrust between the two sides, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said in an interview with Reuters, urging Israel to seize an "historic opportunity" as the door for diplomacy is open.
India's Coast Guard and Navy continued search-and-rescue operations off the eastern coast on Sunday after a Panama-flagged cargo vessel carrying 24 crew sank, with two Chinese nationals rescued, a senior official said.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has called for continued military strength and national unity during a visit to the sensitive frontline island of Kinmen, saying peace must be protected "through strength."
The European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism sent helicopters and firefighters to help Serbia fight a massive wildfire in a nature reserve in the northeast of the country, the head of the European Union mission to Belgrade said.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment