The Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa is facing growing migration pressure after hundreds of people attempted to reach its shores by sea in recent days. Local authorities are now calling on Spain’s central government to declare a “national emergency” as reception facilities and emergency services come under increasing strain.
Spain Press Editorial Team
The Assembly of Ceuta suspended its plenary session on Thursday to focus exclusively on the escalating migration situation affecting the Spanish territory on the North African coast.
The decision follows another night of intense migration attempts, during which hundreds of migrants reportedly entered the sea from the Moroccan coastline in an effort to reach Ceuta by swimming.
Hundreds Attempt the Crossing
According to Spanish police sources, more than 200 migrants—mainly young Moroccan and Algerian men—attempted the dangerous crossing overnight from the coastal town of Fnideq (Castillejos), near the border with Ceuta.
Both Spain’s Guardia Civil and the Moroccan Royal Navy carried out maritime operations to prevent the crossings and assist those in distress. Despite the extensive deployment, a significant number of migrants succeeded in reaching Spanish territory.
Another Migrant Found Dead
The humanitarian situation has become even more serious following the recovery of another migrant’s body.
Early on Thursday morning, the rescue vessel Salvamar Atria, operated by Spain’s Maritime Rescue Service, recovered the body of a young migrant from waters near Ceuta before transporting it ashore.
The latest fatality highlights the dangers of attempting the sea crossing between Morocco and the Spanish enclave, a route that continues to claim lives despite ongoing rescue operations.
Ceuta Warns of Growing Pressure
Local authorities say the recent increase in migrant arrivals has placed significant pressure on the city’s reception system, security forces and emergency services.
Officials are urging Spain’s central government to activate extraordinary measures by declaring a “national emergency”, arguing that the scale of the situation now exceeds the city’s capacity to respond effectively.
Ceuta, together with the nearby Spanish enclave of Melilla, represents one of the European Union’s only land borders with Africa and has long been one of the main gateways for irregular migration into Europe. The recent surge in arrivals has once again placed the territory at the centre of Spain’s migration debate.
