Spain installs floating barrier off Ceuta after 60,000 migrants cross from Morocco, 67 dead

The crossing and its toll

Spanish authorities say 50,000 to 60,000 people crossed from Morocco into the enclave of Ceuta within a short period. At least 67 people died attempting the crossing, according to Spanish officials. Reports indicate that misinformation spreading on social networks claiming the Spanish border was "open" fuelled the surge. The city of Ceuta, with fewer than 85,000 inhabitants and a land area smaller than Frankfurt Airport, was quickly overwhelmed by the influx. By Saturday, almost all of those who crossed had returned to Morocco. The returns were described as voluntary, after migrants found almost no prospect of onward travel into mainland Europe and faced a shortage of shelter and supplies in the exclave.

The situation has shown Europe's vulnerability. I therefore expect the EU Commission to give absolute priority to the protection of external borders so as not to further endanger the Schengen system of open EU internal borders.

Spain's physical and political response

On Saturday, Spain's Civil Guard began installing a floating barrier approximately 500 metres long between the Moroccan coast and Tarajal beach in Ceuta. The barrier, working in combination with Spanish Navy buoys, is intended to improve coastal control and surveillance. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, meanwhile, pushed back against criticism from fellow EU member states, describing their reactions as driven by "prejudices, false reports, ignorance or political interests." In a letter to EU leadership, Sánchez stressed that Ceuta is not part of the Schengen area and that migrants there cannot easily travel onward to other EU countries.

EU reactions and the Schengen debate

The crisis has sharpened debate over EU external border protection. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called the episode "an absolute stress test that we passed" and urged the Commission to prioritise border security. A group of 22 of the 27 EU heads of state and government, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, signed a joint letter warning of uncontrolled border crossings and the instrumentalisation of migration. Italy's government temporarily suspended the Schengen agreement on free movement with respect to Spain. Finland backed Italy's position. Manfred Weber, leader of the European People's Party, called for a strengthened Frontex and asked how the EU could take direct command at the border in exceptional situations. Weber added that there must be consequences when a member state refuses or is unable to accept EU border guard assistance.

EU Interior Ministers are set to meet by video conference on Tuesday to discuss the crisis. EU ambassadors will convene on Monday to assess developments and coordinate the next steps.

International support and the role of third countries

EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Magnus Brunner pledged EU support for Spain. "When our external borders are threatened, the European response must be decisive, swift and united. Solidarity is the key," Brunner wrote on X. He added, after a call with Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, that "not a single person has crossed the border to the EU mainland." British Prime Minister Andy Burnham also offered assistance to Sánchez, saying he would provide "all possible help," despite the United Kingdom being outside the Schengen zone. Wadephul stressed the importance of cooperation with partner countries outside Europe, pointing to Morocco's role in resolving the crisis alongside Spain.