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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the 'selfish' reaction of several EU member states to the influx of migrants crossing the border of the Spanish exclave of Ceuta from Morocco this week, as the death toll reached 67 people.

According to Spanish authorities, most of the 50,000–60,000 people who attempted to cross returned to Morocco by Friday evening. Ceuta authorities reported that many of the deceased drowned during the mass flow of people who poured across the land and sea border on Thursday, overwhelming border guards.

In a letter widely covered by European media, Sánchez sharply criticized the 'selfish, polarizing, and illegal reaction' of other EU countries. This came after Italy temporarily introduced some border checks on entry from Spain, and French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez ordered increased control along the common border of the two countries. Furthermore, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for the suspension of Spain's membership in the Schengen Agreement.

Sánchez stated in his letter that such behavior is 'driven by prejudice, fake news, ignorance, or political interests.' He added that 'in the current international context, the European Union cannot afford such a selfish, polarizing, and illegal reaction.'

Reasons for the migration surge

Later on Saturday, Ireland, which holds the rotating presidency in the bloc, announced an emergency meeting of national ministers to discuss the border crossing situation. Irish Minister for Justice, Interior and Migration Jim O'Callaghan stated on social network X that he 'supports close contact with all EU member states' and 'continues to monitor the situation.'

Spanish officials stated their intention to deport illegally entered individuals as soon as possible. These mass crossings occurred against the backdrop of a recent decision by the Spanish Supreme Court, according to which authorities cannot arbitrarily deport migrants arriving by sea without due legal procedure. However, experts believe this legal decision was extremely narrow, and some argue that it was likely misinterpreted by migrants and smugglers.

By Friday, many had apparently left voluntarily. Reuters reported that observers saw hundreds of people returning to Morocco through border posts and fence gaps, with some claiming they could not find food or shelter in Ceuta.

On Saturday, Spanish officials began installing a floating barrier near the Tarajal breakwater, a key entry point into Ceuta, to 'comply' with the Supreme Court ruling made in July, as stated by the country's Ministry of the Interior in a statement. It should be noted that third parties who are not citizens do not have free movement to mainland Spain or the rest of the Schengen area in Ceuta, and further travel requires identity and visa checks.

Previously, Sánchez had stated that the mass crossings represented a 'violation of Spain's territorial integrity' and blamed the influx on disinformation spread by human traffickers following the Supreme Court's decision.

Factors contributing to the influx

Reuters interviewed 16-year-old Moroccan Ayoub El Abiad, who said he and his cousin decided to make a 12-hour journey towards Ceuta after watching a video on Instagram about other migrants crossing. El Abiad told the news agency from the Moroccan side of the border: 'Migration is an improvement in our lives. We agreed to try this idea of crossing and trust in God.'

The videos were circulated amid reports and disinformation on social networks regarding the Spanish Supreme Court's decision, prompting many young Moroccans to see an opportunity to cross. Broader economic disappointments are also playing a role: official data provided by Reuters shows that one in four Moroccans aged 15 to 24 is neither educated, employed, nor trained. The calm sea at this time of year also makes swimming a more feasible option.

Morocco does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta or Melilla, calling the centuries-old Spanish exclaves 'occupied,' which leads some analysts to question whether Moroccan authorities have deliberately done little to prevent these crossings.

Concerns beyond the borders

The arrival of tens of thousands of people in Ceuta overwhelmed the small Spanish exclave with a population of only 84,000 and triggered a wave of criticism both domestically and abroad.

The Italian government announced the temporary reinstatement of some border checks on air and sea transport from Spain for a period of 30 days. Usually, all travelers flying or sailing between Spain and Italy do not undergo routine border control. However, the Italian public broadcasting company RAI reported that 'targeted checks' on some arrivals would begin on August 1st and last for a month. Quoting sources from the Ministry of the Interior, RAI specified that the checks would apply only to non-EU citizens arriving from Spain into Italy to confirm their right to enter. Thus, according to RAI, Spanish and other EU citizens traveling to Italy, as well as any persons traveling from Italy to Spain, will not face additional requirements.

Although the European territory of Spain is part of the Schengen Area, Ceuta and Melilla—another Spanish exclave in North Africa—face additional border control for goods and travelers between them and mainland Spain or Europe.

Migration remains one of the most divisive issues in Europe. The growing number of far-right parties opposing immigration and the adoption of tougher policies by governments across the continent. The pro-immigration policy of Sánchez's socialist government makes him an exception, and Thursday's events will put pressure on the prime minister.

The US Department of State criticized Spain's immigration policy, stating that the incident was a direct result of 'deliberate efforts by the Spanish government to facilitate and ease mass illegal migration into Europe.' Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump warned that the migrant influx is an example of what awaits if Republicans are not elected in November—which, in his words, should become 'a topic of discussion in the middle of the election campaign.'

The leader of the ultra-right opposition party Vox in Spain called the prime minister a 'traitor' in a social media post on Thursday. Santiago Abascal wrote: 'He acts like an enemy of the Spanish people. The national emergency can only be resolved by his expulsion.'

This is not the first case in Ceuta: in May 2021, over 8,000 migrants flooded into Ceuta in two days, although the scale of the current influx seems unprecedented. A young Moroccan from Tangier told Reuters: 'Honestly, I don't even know why I came, and now I am leaving. I haven't eaten since yesterday's lunch, although I brought some money... What we are doing is neither good nor pleasant.'

According to initial estimates from the Spanish Government, more than 50,000 individuals entered Ceuta illegally, with a large influx occurring on Thursday. However, at least 48,300 people voluntarily returned to Morocco on Friday.

Despite the departure of many, hundreds, or even thousands, of migrants remain present in Ceuta. These individuals are grouped in areas further away from military and police checkpoints, whose patrols have been intensified in the city. They are found on beaches or near the Temporary Reception Center for Migrants (CETI), according to the Lusa agency.

Reports from other media sources indicate that hundreds of people are hidden or taking refuge in the city's hills. Almost all the migrants who remain are from sub-Saharan countries, while those who decided to leave on their own since Friday were Moroccan citizens.

Among the hundreds who persist near the CETI, without access to the reception center—which Ceuta authorities claim is overcrowded—are people from nations such as Senegal, Gambia, Yemen, or Sudan. Many of these individuals already resided in Morocco, in cities like Tangier or Casablanca, and headed to the Ceuta border after obtaining information, either by word of mouth or through the Internet, that it was possible to cross to the Spanish side, as reported by several migrants to Lusa.

All interviewees for Lusa mentioned crossing by swimming on Thursday, taking advantage of the large number of people and low tide, which allowed them to bypass the El Tarajal pontoon, located on the border between Ceuta and Morocco.

Currently, these migrants are on the streets, crowded on sidewalks and on the access road to the CETI, reporting no access to food, drink, or hygiene, but expressing a desire to remain in Ceuta, Spain, and in Europe. Florence, 32, from Senegal, stated: 'I want to live well, like everyone else. And freedom.' There, also a 32-year-old Senegalese man who worked in small trade in Morocco for four years told Lusa: 'I want to live well, like everyone else. And freedom.' Fatima, 28, from Sudan, added: 'There is war in our country.'

Spain mobilized military forces in Ceuta and reinforced the presence of security forces in the city. The Government announced on Friday an agreement with Morocco aimed at the rapid repatriation of people who had entered illegally the previous week. According to reports from the migrants themselves to the media, the closure of shops and other services in the city for two days, which made it impossible to buy food, led tens of thousands to leave the city shortly after entering.

The border near the El Tarajal pontoon was reinforced with the installation of a new half-kilometer pneumatic barrier over the sea on Saturday. Since Thursday, the Spanish police have counted the removal of 71 bodies from this location. In 2025, this point recorded 46 drowning deaths in illegal entry attempts into Ceuta.

Sources in the city cited by the newspaper El Pais assure that spaces with cold storage chambers are being prepared to receive up to 200 corpses, recognizing the possibility of more victims in the waters. To date, the number of bodies removed from the Moroccan side is unknown.

In contrast, local authorities informed that about 1,150 of the people who entered Ceuta since Thursday received medical attention. The city of Ceuta is gradually returning to normalcy, with shops and restaurants reopened since Saturday, tourists filling the central terraces, and vehicle traffic resuming.

However, this recovery occurs under strong police and military surveillance on the streets, and the city's major annual festivities, culminating in the celebration of Africa Virgin Day, scheduled for August 5th and supposed to start on Saturday, have been canceled.