At least 72 migrants have died amid a chaotic rush to storm the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, a humanitarian disaster that is fueling intense political debate over immigration across Europe. Spanish authorities continued searching waters off Ceuta over the weekend for additional victims after an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 migrants, primarily young men, entered the small Spanish territory in North Africa.
Officials reported that many victims drowned attempting the crossing, while others died in a stampede near a breakwater barrier. The mass crossing, which unfolded over several days, temporarily increased Ceuta's population of approximately 84,000 by more than half. By Sunday, many migrants had returned to neighboring Morocco, while others remained in the city or attempted to evade authorities.
Migrants who crossed into Spain return to Morocco from the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026.
The deaths have intensified the political fight over immigration. Far-right leaders have called for tighter border security and the removal of migrants still in the enclave. Santiago Abascal, leader of Spain's nationalist Vox party, visited Ceuta and criticized the Spanish government, characterizing the migrant influx as an "invasion" and accusing officials of failing to secure Spain's borders.
Guardia Civil officers recover the body of a migrant from the water in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026.
Tensions were also evident on Saturday when European Parliament member Alvise Pérez faced counterprotesters during a rally in Ceuta before police escorted him away. Amidst the heightened political discourse, many local residents expressed sorrow over the loss of life. Karima Abenaz, a French national with family in Morocco, stated, "It pains me deeply that young people are dying at sea. It's not right that, in the year 2026, women with children as young as two months old should be crossing the sea only to die."
Others argued that authorities, not the migrants, bear responsibility. Mohamad Abdelkader Driss, a waiter in Ceuta, told The Associated Press, "If you open the border, of course everyone comes in, but the young men aren't to blame. The authorities are responsible."
Escorted by the Spanish army, migrants return to Morocco from Ceuta on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026.
The U.S. State Department raised its Travel Advisory for Ceuta to Level 3: Reconsider Travel on Saturday, citing the "massive and uncontrolled arrival of migrants from Morocco to Ceuta may lead to unpredictable and dangerous security situations."