72,000 Enter Spanish Exclave of Ceuta from Morocco in Mass Border Crossing

On July 30th and 31st of 2026, 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco to one of Spain’s enclaves of Ceuta in less than 48 hours. Many migrants took this risk after circulations of false advertisements from human traffickers and smugglers made false claims that Spain had opened their borders and that jobs and citizenship were guaranteed on social media platforms. Some migrants crossed the border by foot and others swam. Some migrants were not only from Morocco but also from Sudan, Somalia, and Mali. 

Shortly after 24-48 hours, around 70,000 migrants returned back to Morocco some voluntarily and some were told to return immediately upon arrival by Spanish authorities. The migrants who returned did it for several reasons including exhausted resources, no food or water, and no shelter and also the realization that immediate citizenship was not true. 

Seeking asylum is not a crime. Many of these migrants are desperately seeking relief due to high rates of unemployment and lack of public welfare such as access to a good education and healthcare. For example, youth unemployment among those aged 15–24 remained elevated at 27.2% in Morocco. Other migrants that are from Sudan, Somalia, and Mali are often coming from humanitarian crises especially in war-torn areas and are seeking security and safety by trying to migrate to another country such as Spain. 

An estimated 2,000 to 5,000 migrants remain in Ceuta, Spain. Spanish Youth and Children Minister Sira Rego confirmed that 1,342 are unaccompanied minors who cannot be deported due to child protection laws in Spain. 

Crossing the border especially by swimming is extremely dangerous but many people who are desperate enough to find a better opportunity took the risk. The Moroccan Association for Human Rights, a nongovernmental group, estimated the death toll to be at least 141. Spanish authorities have recovered 80 bodies meanwhile Morocco has recovered 11 bodies. The search continues for those who are still missing. Reasons for death are most commonly due to drowning because of exhaustion, deep waters, or not having the proper equipment and not being able to climb over the fences bordering Ceuta. Other reasons can be due to physical trauma, not having enough water or food, and exhaustion.