Death toll rises to 57 in Morocco-Spain migration crisis
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – At least 57 migrants died after tens of thousands of people crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in one of the largest migration surges on Europe’s western border in recent years, Spanish authorities and international media reported on Saturday.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited Ceuta on Friday as authorities struggled to contain the unprecedented influx, which saw between 50,000 and 60,000 migrants enter the North African enclave by land and sea within less than 48 hours. Most of the migrants are Moroccan nationals seeking to reach mainland Europe.
Reuters reported that many of the victims drowned or were crushed while attempting to swim around border barriers or climb the breakwater separating Morocco from the Spanish territory. The latest official toll of 57 deaths marks a sharp increase from earlier reports that had placed the number of fatalities at 18.
Spanish Interior Ministry officials said approximately 48,300 migrants had voluntarily returned to Morocco by Friday evening, while security forces from both countries reinforced border controls to prevent further crossings. Thousands remain in temporary shelters in Ceuta, where local authorities have warned of shortages of food, water and accommodation.
The crisis has triggered political tensions across Europe, with several European leaders expressing support for Spain while others criticized Madrid’s migration policies. Sánchez described the mass crossing as a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity and blamed human-smuggling networks for encouraging migrants to enter the enclave following confusion over recent legal rulings on deportations.
Ceuta and Melilla, Spain’s two enclaves on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast, have long served as key entry points for migrants attempting to reach Europe. According to the International Organization for Migration, hundreds of migrants have already died on Mediterranean routes in 2026, underscoring the growing humanitarian crisis along Europe’s southern borders.