Friday, 31 July 2026
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WorldPublished: 31 July 2026 at 21:51

Ceuta sees record surge in migrant crossings from Morocco

Around 60,000 people are believed to have crossed from Morocco into Spain's Ceuta enclave within 24 hours, with more than 48,000 already returning voluntarily.

Foto: BBC World

The tiny Spanish territory of Ceuta in North Africa, home to around 83,000 people, has experienced an unprecedented influx of migrants over the past 24 hours. An estimated 60,000 people from Morocco are believed to have entered the enclave, which has long been a focal point for migrants attempting to reach Europe.

Dozens of people died while trying to make the crossing. On Friday evening, Spanish officials confirmed that more than 48,000 of the migrants had voluntarily returned to Morocco.

BBC's Sarah Rainsford explains what may have triggered the surge in crossings and what happens next. The events in Ceuta have again highlighted the migration pressures on the EU's external borders and the dynamics of Spanish-Moroccan cooperation in managing such crises.

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