Hundreds of migrants swim from Morocco to Spanish enclave of Ceuta

Hundreds of migrants have entered Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco in the past week, overwhelming the territory's resources and prompting its leader to call for intervention from the Spanish government. Spain's Interior Minister is expected to visit the enclave on Friday.

Footage captured migrants swimming to Ceuta using inflatable rings and other flotation devices, while others breached the border fence. Ceuta, situated on Morocco's northern coast, is a frequent destination for migrants attempting to reach Europe. Reports on the scale of the crossing vary, with Spanish media estimating between 2,000 and 3,000 people entered on Thursday alone, though official figures have not been confirmed.

Spanish public broadcaster RTVE reported that "hundreds" crossed during the day and that over 1,500, primarily young Moroccan migrants, had arrived in Ceuta over the past two weeks. The territory's leader, Juan Jesús Vivas, highlighted the dire situation, noting that the bodies of 60 people had been recovered at sea in recent months. He warned of a humanitarian and security emergency, with reception centers for unaccompanied minors operating far beyond capacity.

This surge has drawn comparisons to May 2021, when approximately 8,000 people entered Ceuta within days, straining diplomatic relations with Morocco. Ceuta and the nearby Melilla enclave are the European Union's only land borders with Africa. Despite increased security measures in recent years, including enhanced surveillance and border reinforcement, migration attempts continue.