48,000 migrants return to Morocco after mass crossing into Ceuta leaves 57 dead, Italy suspends Schengen

Mass crossing and return

Within 24 hours from Thursday morning, between 50,000 and 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish North African exclave of Ceuta, a city of fewer than 85,000 inhabitants on only 18.5 square kilometres. Many swam around the border fence or climbed through holes in it, leaving behind inflatable rings and clothes. By Friday evening, the flow had reversed: Spanish authorities said more than 48,000 people had voluntarily returned to Morocco. "Nearly all who arrived in Ceuta have now gone back to Morocco," Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares wrote on X, adding that hundreds more were still on their way.

At least 57 dead

The Spanish government confirmed at least 57 deaths, mostly by drowning, during the attempt to reach Ceuta. A mass panic was also reported. Images showed young men, women and children spending the night outdoors, as shops, bars and restaurants shut and even drinking water was unavailable. The regional government had put the number of arrivals at about 60,000, while Madrid spoke of 50,000.

Political fallout and Italy's Schengen suspension

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, visiting the Tarajal border crossing, called the influx an "attack" and a "violation of Spain's territorial integrity." Madrid deployed 60 soldiers and 200 special police officers, using the military in the enclave for the first time since a similar but smaller crossing in 2021. Italy announced it was temporarily suspending the Schengen free-movement agreement with Spain, triggering a sharp reaction from Albares, who insisted that the integrity of the Schengen area remained guaranteed and criticised "interest-driven confusion."

Robust protection of the EU's external borders is crucial to combating illegal migration.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for Spain to "quickly get the situation in Ceuta under control." EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner said Albares had told him "not a single person crossed the border to the EU mainland."

Unrest spreads to Melilla

Late on Friday, about 500 migrants tried to rush the border in Melilla, Spain's second North African exclave. RTVE reported that security forces used tear gas after some people threw stones; the Beni Enzar crossing had been closed since Thursday evening. It remained unclear whether any migrants reached Melilla.

EU convenes emergency meetings

EU member-state experts are due to meet on Saturday, 1 August, to assess the situation, with an ambassadorial-level session planned for Monday 3 August, under the Irish presidency.

Moroccan authorities deployed water cannon in the border town of Fnideq to prevent further crossings. Migrants told Spanish media they had heard on social networks that the border was open and they could enter Spain without restriction.