By Spanish authorities reported on Monday that thousands of migrants have attempted to cross the border from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in recent days, with hundreds of young people trying to swim around border controls. This surge in migration attempts has put significant pressure on the small North African territory.
Cristina Pérez, the Spanish government’s representative in Ceuta, told journalists that since August 22, an average of 700 people have attempted to breach the border daily, with a peak of 1,500 attempts on Sunday.
While Pérez did not disclose the exact number of successful entries, she confirmed that authorities were implementing “border rejections,” sending between 150 and 200 people back to Morocco daily, in accordance with Spanish law.
Spanish media broadcast videos showing police intercepting migrants in the water, both at night amid thick fog and in broad daylight, sometimes struggling to separate new arrivals from beachgoers. These dramatic scenes underscore the challenges faced by border authorities in managing the influx.
Ceuta and Melilla, two small Spanish territories in North Africa bordering the Mediterranean, have long been targets for migrants and refugees seeking better lives in Europe. Many attempt to climb over barbed wire fences encircling the autonomous cities or reach the exclaves by sea.
The geographical position of these enclaves means Spain relies heavily on Morocco’s cooperation to control these borders and manage migration flows.
In 2021, a diplomatic dispute between the two nations resulted in thousands of people, including many unaccompanied Moroccan children, pouring into Ceuta over a few days, overwhelming Spanish authorities.
While Spain and Morocco have since normalized their relations and are working together to tackle irregular migration, Ceuta authorities report they are again under pressure this year.
Statistics from the Spanish interior ministry show 1,622 migrant arrivals in Ceuta from January to mid-August, compared to just 620 in the same period last year.
In February, residents of the nearby Moroccan town of Belyounech attempted to swim to Ceuta after the Moroccan government demolished unauthorized beachside homes for new development, adding another layer of complexity to the migration situation.
Although the number of migrants reaching Ceuta represents a small fraction of the more than 31,000 irregular arrivals to Spain this year, Pérez emphasized that the 18.5 square kilometer (7.14 square mile) territory is under “extreme migratory pressure.”
