Hundreds of migrants have arrived in Ceuta after swimming from Morocco in recent days. They took advantage of dense fog to evade border controls. According to Spanish authorities, thousands of migrants have recently attempted to cross the border from Morocco to the Ceuta enclave.
Spanish police have been stopping migrants in the water for days, separating them from vacationers on the beaches. Spanish media outlets have also published footage of the police’s attempts to intercept the migrants.
Spanish government representative in Ceuta, Cristina Pérez, reported that thousands of illegal immigrants are attempting to cross into Spain from the Moroccan border, with daily attempts reaching as many as 700 individuals. On one occasion, 1,500 people tried to cross in a single day. Perez noted that border police return approximately 200 individuals to Morocco each day under Spanish immigration laws, which permit the immediate rejection of migrants at the border.
Ceuta and Melilla present a unique geographical situation, as the two autonomous Spanish regions are located in North Africa. Thousands of migrants attempt to reach these territories as a gateway to Europe. Efforts to enter the regions are relentless, with migrants often attempting to swim across or scale the barbed wire fences surrounding them.
Spain’s ability to manage migration flows relies heavily on its relationship with Morocco. After a diplomatic rift in 2021, which led to a surge in migrants and minors entering Ceuta, both countries have worked to strengthen their ties. This cooperation has been crucial in deterring subsequent migration attempts.
Despite joint Moroccan-Spanish efforts to deter migrants, Ceuta has experienced a significant surge in arrivals since the start of 2024. Authorities have recorded the arrival of 1,622 migrants so far this year, nearly double the number during the same period in 2023, when the Spanish Ministry of Interior reported only 620 arrivals.
A spokesperson for the Civil Guard in Ceuta reported that migrants were intercepted near El Tarajal beach, close to the border. The spokesperson highlighted the pressure the police are facing from Morocco and explained that the dense fog provided cover, encouraging migrants to attempt the crossing.
