Officials estimate that in the past 24 hours, over 49,000 migrants have entered Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco by land and sea.
On Thursday, thousands of people were seen swimming into the city in photos and videos, and local media reported that crossings continued all night.
At least eighteen people have reportedly perished in recent days while attempting to enter the territory, according to officials.
This comes after the Supreme Court of Spain decided last month that migrants who are intercepted at sea while attempting to reach another Spanish enclave, Ceuta or Melilla, cannot be summarily returned to Morocco.
Following a recent increase in attempted crossings, local authorities had requested assistance from Madrid; nevertheless, on Thursday, there were chaotic scenes as border procedures appeared to break down.
Later, Spain sent troops to strengthen security in Ceuta and Melilla, its sister city, where nighttime reports of 300–400 crossings were also made.
According to the most recent local statistics, Ceuta’s population is approximately 83,600, but the startling estimate from Spanish officials indicates that the number of migrants that entered the city in the last day or so may be more than half of that amount.
At least 7,000 people who entered the country illegally in the past day are juveniles, according to officials.
The interior ministry of Spain stated that it was collaborating with Morocco to guarantee the “as soon as possible” return of everyone who had entered the country illegally.
This would be the most migrants to enter Ceuta since May 2021, when almost 10,000 individuals did so, if the official estimates are accurate.
Later on Friday, Pedro Sánchez, the prime minister of Spain, will travel to Ceuta.
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