Madrid, July 31, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
At least 34 people have died while attempting to reach Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta by sea, as authorities grapple with one of the largest irregular migration crises ever recorded at the border.
According to Spanish authorities, most of the victims drowned while trying to swim around the El Tarajal breakwater that separates Morocco and Ceuta.
The surge has seen an estimated 50,000 migrants enter Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco over the past two days, overwhelming local reception facilities and security forces. Large numbers of migrants have been seen on the enclave’s streets, with many spending the night outdoors as crossings continue.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited Ceuta on Friday along with Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska to assess the situation. Sanchez described the developments as a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity and announced a series of measures aimed at strengthening border security.
The measures include the installation of floating barriers near the El Tarajal breakwater to prevent further sea crossings, faster identification and repatriation of irregular migrants, and intensified action against human trafficking networks. Sanchez also thanked Morocco for its cooperation in border management and migrant returns.
Spain has deployed additional National Police officers, Civil Guard personnel and military units to reinforce security in Ceuta. Authorities said efforts were underway to return migrants who entered irregularly as quickly as possible, while hundreds have already gone back to Morocco through the border breakwater.
The current influx far exceeds Ceuta’s previous migration crisis in May 2021, when more than 10,000 migrants were estimated to have crossed into the enclave.
The situation has also sparked diplomatic tensions in Europe. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called for the suspension of Schengen arrangements with Spain, a proposal rejected by Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares, who described the remarks as “partisan demagoguery” and said Spain would summon the Italian ambassador in Madrid.
Meanwhile, France has reinforced checks along its border with Spain and activated a rapid-response border unit to tighten inspections. In Spain’s other North African enclave, Melilla, regional authorities reported that between 300 and 400 migrants crossed from Morocco overnight.
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