Spain deploys military to Ceuta after migrant crossing from Morocco

Thousands of migrants crossed into Ceuta, a small Spanish territory in north Africa, on July 30, 2026. Between 2,000 and 3,000 people entered the enclave within a few hours. Some swam around the border barriers, while others climbed over the high fence separating Ceuta from Morocco. At least nine people died during the crossing. Spain responded quickly, sending 60 soldiers and 30 Guardia Civil officers to the territory. This nearly doubled the number of officers already there. Coastguard ships and diving teams were also deployed. Local officers described the situation as "absolute chaos" and said the border had "totally collapsed." A similar crisis happened in 2021, when more than 8,000 people arrived in just two days.