Death toll from migrant rush into Ceuta rises to 72
The death toll from the migrant rush into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco has reached at least 72 after five more bodies were found along the coast. More than 50,000 people crossed into Ceuta by land and sea in an unprecedented surge that began on Thursday at one of the EU's two land borders with Africa, prompting alarm across the bloc. More than 48,000 people returned to…
At least 72 migrants have died in the recent rush into Spain's North African territory of Ceuta from Morocco, prompting alarm across the European Union. The death toll surged to 72 after five more bodies were discovered along the coast, following an unprecedented influx that began on Thursday. Over 50,000 individuals crossed into Ceuta via land and sea during this unprecedented surge, prompting concern among EU members.
More than 48,000 of these migrants returned to Morocco within 48 hours, with a further wave of arrivals over the weekend.
Spanish authorities in Ceuta have reported that over 1,000 individuals have been treated by health services in addition to the 72 fatalities. Miguel Angel Perez, the Spanish government representative in Ceuta, stated that the situation has improved but more needs to be done to restore normalcy. Some migrants drowned, while others were crushed while attempting to scale a breakwater and border fence. Many were reportedly encouraged by social media rumors to make the perilous journey.
Karima Abenaz, a French national residing in Ceuta with family in Morocco, expressed deep concern over the loss of young lives at sea. "It pains me deeply that young people are dying at sea," she said. "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."
In response to the crisis, authorities have reinforced police and army patrols, and installed a 500-meter floating barrier off Ceuta on Saturday. A letter signed by twenty-two EU member states called for coordinated action to protect external borders and additional measures following the incident. Italy suspended Schengen travel arrangements with Spain for one month, while Spain has taken a more lenient approach to migrants compared to other EU nations.
The Spanish government has introduced a residency program for over half a million undocumented migrants but has denied allegations that this scheme influenced the migrant surge into Ceuta, emphasizing that individuals who entered the enclave irregularly cannot travel further within the Schengen zone.
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