Ceuta latest: 49,000 migrants cross into Spanish enclave in 24 hours as death toll rises in growing crisis

Hundreds of migrants cross into Ceuta enclaveMore than 49,000 migrants poured into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco in 24 hours on Thursday, the government has said as it deployed troops to battle a growing crisis on the border. At least 18 people drowned while attempting to cross into Ceuta from North Africa as overwhelmed border guards struggled to deal with the influx. Spain sent military ​and ⁠police reinforcements to Ceuta after the surge, while Moroccan authorities deployed ‌water cannon trucks and reinforced security at the crossing-gates.Rachid Sbihi, who leads a local workers association representing Civil Guard officers, described the situation as a "serious humanitarian crisis.""People are still entering. The reinforcements that have arrived are only helping the injured and other humanitarian efforts," he said.Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will visit the enclave on Friday morning. Ceuta, along with Melilla, another Spanish autonomous ‌city in northern Morocco, represents ​the European Union's ‌only land border ⁠with Africa. Both cities ⁠periodically experience surges in attempted crossings ‌by migrants ​seeking to ‌reach Europe.Italy wants Spain suspended from Schengen zone over Ceuta crisisItalian prime minister Giorgia Meloni called for Spain's suspension from European Union's visa-free Schengen travel zone after thousands of migrants crossed into the Spanish city of Ceuta from Morocco.Spain on Thursday said it was deploying the military to the North African enclave to restore order at its “totally collapsed” border after at least nine people died during the mass migrant crossing this week.The armed forces said it would send 60 personnel to reinforce the police to deal with people swimming over to the enclave.Ms Meloni said the images emerging from Ceuta of migrants crossing were "shocking"."We are in the process of bringing together the competent bodies and, once these meetings are over, we are ready to act, including through exceptional measures, such as suspending the Schengen agreement with Spain," she said on X.Read our full story below. Daniel Keane31 July 2026 09:25Civil Guard union warns of 'serious humanitarian crisis'Rachid Sbihi, who leads a local workers association representing Civil Guard officers described the situation as a "serious humanitarian crisis.""People are still entering. The reinforcements that have arrived are only helping the injured and other humanitarian efforts," he said.Without shelter, thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied children, were left sleeping in parks and sidewalks, with others roaming the streets aimlessly, he said. "It's chaotic."Daniel Keane31 July 2026 09:20In pictures: Migrants clash with Moroccan police near Spanish border(AFP/Getty)(AFP/Getty)Daniel Keane31 July 2026 09:15More than 49,000 migrants pour into Ceuta, says SpainMore than 49,000 migrants poured into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco in 24 hours on Thursday, the Spanish government has said as it deployed troops to battle a growing crisis on the border. At least 18 people drowned while attempting to cross into Ceuta from North Africa as overwhelmed border guards struggled to deal with the influx. Daniel Keane31 July 2026 09:09