Spain has deported about 37,500 migrants back to Morocco after a record wave of irregular crossings overwhelmed the North African enclave of Ceuta, prompting authorities to launch a massive border enforcement operation.
Officials said the deportations began after an estimated 60,000 migrants entered the Spanish territory from Morocco in what has been described as the country’s biggest migrant crisis on record. By 1:00 p.m. local time on Friday, more than half of those who crossed into Ceuta had already been returned, while authorities said repatriation efforts would continue.
The unprecedented influx placed enormous pressure on security agencies and local authorities in Ceuta, a Spanish autonomous city with a population of fewer than 83,000 residents. The latest wave of arrivals came only days after between 1,500 and 2,000 migrants had already entered the enclave.
Local media also reported that at least 34 people died while attempting to swim from Morocco to Ceuta during the chaotic crossings, underscoring the dangers faced by migrants trying to reach European territory.
The crisis followed an agreement reached on Thursday between Spain and Morocco to accelerate the return of migrants who entered Ceuta without authorisation.
In response, the Spanish Government deployed military personnel to strengthen security across the enclave. Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, travelled to Ceuta on Friday alongside Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, to assess the situation.
Speaking during the visit, Sánchez condemned the mass crossings, describing them as “a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity” that deserved “our strongest condemnation.”
Spain’s Defence Minister, Margarita Robles, also warned migrants against attempting the dangerous journey, urging them not to be misled by human trafficking networks.
“Do not be deceived by the trafficking networks,” Robles said. “The outcome will be return, in accordance with Spanish law.”
Despite the heightened security presence, tensions persisted overnight as Moroccan security forces clashed with hundreds of migrants attempting to reach Ceuta. Groups continued trying to enter the enclave on Friday by swimming around the Tarajal breakwater near the main border crossing between Morocco and the Spanish territory.
During a televised address from Ceuta, Prime Minister Sánchez pledged that his Government would remain steadfast in protecting Spain’s borders.
“We will remain resolute in guaranteeing security in the face of any challenge, any eventuality and under any circumstances,” he said.
Spanish authorities estimated that about 60,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta within days, a figure that, if confirmed, would represent the largest single surge of irregular migration ever recorded on European Union territory. Most of the migrants reportedly swam from the Moroccan border town of Fnideq, landing on beaches around Ceuta, particularly El Tarajal, one of the closest points to the frontier.
