Thousands storm Spain's Ceuta enclave from Morocco; at least 9 dead, Italy threatens Schengen suspension

The crossing

On Thursday, July 30, thousands of migrants rushed the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco, swimming around the Tarajal breakwater and charging the double border fence on foot. The flow, which had been building for days at a rate of about 300 arrivals daily, turned into a continuous stream by midday. Spanish state broadcaster TVE reported that between 2,000 and 3,000 people crossed into Ceuta overnight. Videos showed hundreds swimming or floating on inflatables, while others broke through a gate and ran toward the city. Some shouted "Viva la España" as they entered Spanish territory. Moroccan security forces, who had not intervened earlier, later deployed water cannons at the border town of Fnideq on Thursday evening.

It was hard. The police tried to stop us. But our will and determination allowed us to get here.

Casualties

At least nine bodies were recovered from the waters off Ceuta on Thursday, according to local authorities. Some reports put the death toll at 16 in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of migrants found dead in Ceuta's waters this year to 44, according to La Vanguardia. An NGO said another 20 people were missing. The enclave's president, Juan Jesus Vivas, described the situation as "an absolute humanitarian and social emergency" and requested a national emergency declaration and army deployment.

Political response

Madrid announced it would send soldiers to reinforce the Guardia Civil. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was expected to visit Ceuta on Friday morning. The Ceuta Assembly unanimously passed a motion calling for the temporary closure of the border with Morocco as an "urgent and unpostponable" measure. In Rome, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the images "shocking" and said uncontrolled illegal immigration "represents a concrete threat to the security of European borders." Palazzo Chigi sources confirmed the government was evaluating a suspension of the Schengen agreement with Spain. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini also demanded Schengen suspension. The European Commission pledged support for Spain, while the White House commented that the scenes validated President Trump's immigration policy.

The images coming from Ceuta are shocking and demonstrate, once again, that uncontrolled illegal immigration represents a concrete threat to the security of European borders.

What drove the surge

The immediate trigger was a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling that bans the immediate pushback of migrants who reach Ceuta by swimming, which, combined with trafficker networks and social media chatter, created a perception that crossing had become easier. Ismail El Makdoubi, president of the Exmenas association, said migrants "don't find legal routes. Their only chance is to throw themselves into the sea and enter Ceuta." Poverty, lack of prospects, and calm summer seas also contributed. The crisis echoes May 2021, when about 8,000 people entered Ceuta in 48 hours after Morocco relaxed border controls during a diplomatic row over Spain's hosting of Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali.

They don't find legal routes. Their only chance is to throw themselves into the sea and enter Ceuta.

What's next

With thousands now inside Ceuta, local residents reported feeling abandoned as migrants wandered the streets. Spain has pledged to return all those who entered illegally, but returns depend on cooperation with Morocco. The crisis has reignited tensions between Madrid and Rome over migration policy, and the Schengen suspension threat adds a new layer of uncertainty for the EU's border-free zone.