Migrants storm Ceuta: at least 9 dead, up to 20,000 cross; Italy calls for Spain's Schengen suspension

The crossing

On Thursday, thousands of migrants breached the border of Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on Morocco's Mediterranean coast. Many swam from the nearby Moroccan towns of Fnideq and Belyounech, using inflatable tubes and small boats, while others climbed over the perimeter fences. The Guardia Civil was overwhelmed. Spokesperson Rachid Sbihi told AP that the situation was "complete chaos" and that the border had "completely collapsed."

It is complete chaos. Exact figures are impossible, but thousands of migrants are crossing the border.

Estimates of the number of people who entered Ceuta on Thursday varied sharply. Spanish public broadcaster TVE reported 2,000 to 3,000 by the afternoon, while the newspaper El Mundo, citing local police, put the figure as high as 20,000. Reuters also gave the lower range. The Moroccan security forces did not intervene to stop the crossings, according to Spanish media.

Casualties

At least nine bodies were recovered from the water on Thursday, all believed to have drowned while attempting the sea crossing. By evening, the toll had climbed: El País reported 18 dead, while De Standaard cited 15. Authorities warned the number could rise further as search efforts continued. The crossing is perilous; over the past year, at least 60 people died trying to reach Ceuta by sea.

Madrid's response and EU offer

Ceuta's regional president, Juan Jesús Vivas, described the situation as a "total humanitarian and social emergency" and asked the central government to declare a state of emergency. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska refused, but Madrid dispatched 60 soldiers to support the overwhelmed local police. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is scheduled to travel to Ceuta on Friday to meet with security officials. The European Union indicated readiness to deploy Frontex border guards to assist.

The reception centres are overloaded and saturated, leaving no room for new arrivals.

Italy threatens Schengen suspension

The influx triggered a sharp reaction from Rome. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote on X that she was in contact with relevant authorities and prepared to "intervene with extraordinary measures to protect borders and citizens' security." Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani explicitly called for Spain to be suspended from the Schengen zone, arguing that irregular and uncontrolled immigration poses a danger to national security. Within the Schengen area, internal border controls can be temporarily reintroduced in exceptional circumstances.

What drove the surge

The sudden spike follows a ruling by Spain's Supreme Court earlier in July that migrants intercepted at sea en route to Ceuta and Melilla can no longer be summarily returned under the special border regime applied to the enclaves. A Guardia Civil spokesperson told Reuters that crossings had been a trickle since the ruling, "but today it exploded." Spanish authorities also blamed people-smuggling networks for exploiting the legal change. Ceuta and its sister enclave Melilla are the only EU territories with land borders on the African continent, making them a magnet for migrants seeking entry to Europe.