At Least 18 Migrants Die In Mass Crossing Attempt From Morocco To Spain

At least 18 migrants have died as thousands attempted to cross into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco, in one of the largest migration surges recorded at the border.

Ceuta, an autonomous Spanish city on the North African coast, witnessed a massive influx of migrants, many of whom reportedly tried to reach the territory by swimming or crossing the breakwater at Tarajal Beach.

A police source told AFP on Friday that it was impossible to estimate the exact number of people who crossed overnight, describing a continuous flow of migrants throughout the night and into Friday morning.

According to the source, although arrivals slowed compared to daytime levels, migrants continued to reach the enclave by both sea and land.

Reports of the mass crossing first emerged on Wednesday, with video footage on Thursday showing large crowds—mostly Moroccan nationals—making their way around the breakwaters and onto roads in Ceuta. The group included mainly young men, as well as women and children.

Rachid Sbihi, head of the local workers’ association representing Civil Guard officers, said most of the victims drowned while attempting the crossing, while others were killed in a stampede near the breakwater fence at Tarajal Beach.

The reason behind the sudden surge in migration remains unclear.

Spain’s Interior Ministry estimated that about 49,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta over the past 24 hours, using both land and sea routes from Morocco.

In response, the Spanish government announced the deployment of military personnel to support the Civil Guard in maintaining security across the enclave.

Images released after the announcement showed Spanish soldiers patrolling the border with armoured vehicles.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was also expected to visit Ceuta alongside Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska to assess the situation and coordinate the government’s response.