At least 34 migrants have died while attempting to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, as Spain faces one of its biggest border challenges in recent years.

According to Ceuta regional president Juan Jesus Vivas, around 60,000 migrants entered the Spanish territory from Morocco within the past 24 hours. The situation has escalated rapidly since Thursday, with security personnel confronting large groups attempting to enter the enclave.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez travelled to Ceuta on Friday, where he condemned the breach of the border and described the incident as a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity.

Sanchez blamed human smuggling networks for encouraging dangerous migration attempts, saying traffickers exploit vulnerable people and put their lives at risk.

Spain says many migrants have already returned

Spain’s Interior Ministry said nearly half of those who crossed into Ceuta have already returned to Morocco. The ministry also released footage showing people walking back through a border gate separating the two territories.

To strengthen border security, the Spanish government has deployed additional troops, police personnel, divers, drones and boats in and around Ceuta.

Videos circulating on Thursday showed thousands of migrants crossing into the Spanish enclave, highlighting the scale of the sudden influx.

Crisis sparks diplomatic tensions across Europe

The large-scale movement of migrants has triggered diplomatic reactions across Europe. Germany, Italy and Finland criticised the situation, while France tightened border checks with Spain.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the scenes in Ceuta as unacceptable in a social media post, stressing that entry into the European Union must comply with established rules.

An EU official later said there was no evidence of migrants moving onward from Ceuta into mainland Europe.

Italy also called for Spain to be suspended from the Schengen free-travel area, with Finland and Denmark expressing support for the proposal. France and the United Kingdom said they were ready to assist Spain in managing the crisis.

Donald Trump comments on Ceuta crisis

US President Donald Trump also reacted to the developments, using the situation to criticise the Democratic Party’s immigration policies.

According to Fox News, Trump said the United States could face a similar situation if Democrats return to power, using the events in Ceuta as a warning about border security.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated newly appointed UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and said both leaders had agreed to take the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to “new heights” by expanding cooperation across several key sectors.

The two leaders spoke over the phone and discussed various aspects of bilateral relations, including trade, investment, technology, defence, clean energy, education and people-to-people exchanges.

PM Modi highlights cooperation across key sectors

Sharing details of the conversation on social media, PM Modi said he extended his congratulations to Andy Burnham on assuming office and wished him success during his tenure.

He said both countries would work together in areas such as technology, innovation, defence, security, clean energy, education and stronger people-to-people connections to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The Prime Minister also said India and the United Kingdom would work closely to maximise the trade and investment opportunities created by the recently operationalised India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), with the aim of promoting shared prosperity and improving the well-being of people in both countries.

UK outlines Vision 2035 goals

According to a statement issued by the British government, Andy Burnham highlighted the strong partnership between the two nations and its positive impact on communities across the United Kingdom.

The statement said the British Prime Minister expressed his ambition to further deepen bilateral ties through the UK-India Vision 2035 framework while strengthening people-to-people links.

Burnham also acknowledged the contribution of the Indian community to British society. During the conversation, PM Modi referred to the historical connection between Manchester and Ahmedabad, describing Ahmedabad as the “Manchester of India”.

Focus on trade and investment

The British readout said the leaders also discussed the recently introduced free trade agreement, with PM Modi underlining its potential to generate new opportunities for businesses and people in both countries through stronger trade and investment cooperation.

Spain has announced military deployment to Ceuta after thousands of migrants crossed from Morocco, overwhelming border authorities and leaving at least nine people dead.

Spain has decided to deploy its military to the North African enclave of Ceuta after thousands of migrants crossed into the territory from neighbouring Morocco, triggering a major border crisis that left at least nine people dead.

The decision came after authorities in Ceuta requested urgent assistance from Madrid as large crowds breached the border fence on Thursday, overwhelming local security forces. The central government said the Armed Forces would assist the Civil Guard in restoring order and maintaining security in the city.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is scheduled to visit Ceuta along with Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska to assess the situation on the ground.

Border authorities overwhelmed

Officials described the situation as unprecedented, with thousands of migrants entering Ceuta within a short period. Border personnel said it was difficult to determine the exact number of arrivals as the crossing points became overwhelmed.

Visuals from the area showed large groups of people, mostly young men, reaching Spanish territory via the Tarajal beach breakwaters. Families with women and children were also seen among those crossing.

Authorities confirmed that at least nine people died during the incident. While officials did not disclose the exact circumstances of the deaths, bodies were reportedly found in the surrounding waters. Local authorities noted that dozens of people have lost their lives this year while attempting to reach Ceuta.

Spain and Morocco coordinating response

Spain’s Interior Ministry said Moroccan authorities are working closely with Spanish officials to manage the situation. According to the ministry, Moroccan police have intercepted numerous people attempting to cross the border, while both countries have agreed to cooperate on the return of those who entered Ceuta illegally.

However, the Spanish government said it cannot declare a national emergency solely on the basis of migration, despite requests from Ceuta’s regional administration.

Debate over cause of migrant surge

The latest influx follows an increase in attempted crossings earlier this week, with many migrants reportedly reaching Ceuta by swimming from the Moroccan coast.

Local authorities had earlier suggested that a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling on the treatment of migrants arriving by sea may have contributed to the rise in crossings. However, some human rights activists in Morocco questioned that explanation, arguing that most migrants were unlikely to have been aware of the legal decision.

Spain remains one of the main entry points into Europe for migrants seeking improved economic opportunities or fleeing conflict and instability.

Echoes of the 2021 Ceuta crisis

The latest developments have drawn comparisons with the May 2021 border crisis, when more than 8,000 migrants entered Ceuta within two days, sparking a diplomatic dispute between Spain and Morocco.

Ceuta’s regional government has once again urged Madrid to strengthen security at the border, warning that reception centres have exceeded capacity and hundreds of migrants have been left without accommodation.

Spain’s Interior Ministry said updated migration figures will be released on August 3. As of July 15, nearly 3,000 migrants had entered Ceuta by land or sea in 2026.