Thousands of migrants cross into Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco

Around 49,000 to 60,000 people crossed into Ceuta on July 30, 2026. Ceuta is a small Spanish territory on the North African coast, next to Morocco. People swam across the water or broke through the border fence. Between 18 and 57 people died. Some drowned, and others died in a crush near a beach fence. The group included young men, families, and small children. Spain sent extra soldiers and police to Ceuta on Thursday. On Friday, Spain and Morocco strengthened the border fence to stop more crossings. A similar event happened in 2021. In the nearby Spanish territory of Melilla, 300 to 400 people also crossed or tried to cross that day. Doctors planned to carry out autopsies to find the exact causes of death.