Thousands of migrants cross border into Spanish enclave Ceuta

On July 30, 2026, thousands of migrants reached the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa after climbing over the border fence separating the city from Morocco. According to the Spanish news agency EFE, hundreds of individuals scaled the barrier at a point reportedly left unguarded by police at the time. Moroccan security forces in the area were seen withdrawing as the migrants crossed, with some participants heard shouting "Long live Spain" upon their entry.

This mass crossing follows a trend of increasing migration pressure on Ceuta and Melilla, which serve as the European Union's only land borders with Africa. Regional authorities noted that at least 1,500 people had arrived in the city by swimming just the previous week. These two cities frequently experience sharp surges in unauthorized migration attempts as individuals seek access to Europe. The situation remains volatile as regional authorities manage the sudden influx of people into the territory.