Spanish citizens react to deadly migrant surge into Ceuta

0 August 1, 2026 15:42

About 48,000 of the nearly 60,000 migrants who crossed into Spain’s North African territory of Ceuta in a 24-hour period have returned to Morocco, Spanish officials said.

The surge erupted July 29-30, when thousands of migrants began entering Ceuta, many by swimming to breakwaters near the Tarajal border checkpoint. Some swimmers came ashore, and Spanish rescue crews picked up others from the water.

At least 57 migrant deaths have been reported. Spain has sent troops to the area.

The large number of migrants threatened to overwhelm Ceuta, a Spanish autonomous city with about 83,000 residents. Ceuta itself is about 7.5 square miles in size, about a third the size of Manhattan.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2026/07/31/why-migrants-are-flocking-to-spains-ceuta-enclave-from-morocco/91121170007/

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