Death Toll Reaches 67 in Ceuta Border Surge as Spain Works to Clear Migrants

Spanish authorities said Saturday that 67 people have died amid a migration crisis unfolding at the Spanish territory of Ceuta on Morocco’s border. The fatalities occurred as migrants attempted to reach the enclave, with some drowning and others killed in a crush at a breakwater crossing between Thursday and Friday, according to government officials.

Approximately 60,000 migrants breached Ceuta’s border during the two-day period, prompting Spain to announce plans for a 500-meter containment barrier along the waterfront fence. The barrier construction represents an escalation in border infrastructure intended to prevent similar mass crossings in the future.

By Saturday morning, small numbers of exhausted swimmers were reaching Tarajal beach in Ceuta’s urban center, where military personnel immediately turned them back across the border. Spain’s interior ministry reported that the majority of those who entered the territory have already returned to Morocco, though the exact numbers remain unclear.

Juan Jesus Vivas, president of the autonomous city of 84,000 residents, described an “uneasy calm” replacing days of chaos and overcrowded streets. He acknowledged that while repatriation efforts have begun successfully, the process remains incomplete and the city has not yet returned to normal conditions.

Some migrants refused to leave despite the harsh circumstances. Mohamed Hatri, a 23-year-old from Morocco, said authorities had restricted access to food and supplies to force departures, yet expressed determination to remain in Ceuta regardless of conditions.