Migrant deaths in Ceuta rise to 72 after border surge from Morocco | Migration News
Five Bodies Discovered on Ceuta Coastline Amid Migrant Crisis
CEUTA, Spain (AP) — Five additional bodies were located along the coastline of Ceuta on Sunday, as the North African enclave grapples with the aftermath of an unprecedented surge of migrants crossing the border from Morocco.
Authorities report that the recent influx has resulted in at least 72 deaths, following the arrival of approximately 60,000 migrants over the past few days. Since the start of this crisis on Thursday, more than 1,000 individuals have received treatment from health services.
While over 48,000 migrants are said to have returned to Morocco within 48 hours, the situation has led 22 European Union member states to advocate for coordinated border measures. In response to the crisis, Italy has suspended passport-free travel under the Schengen Agreement with Spain, and Spanish officials have implemented a floating barrier off the coast of Ceuta.
Spanish government representative Miguel Angel Perez stated that the situation had improved significantly by Sunday, but emphasized that further efforts were needed to restore normalcy.
The Spanish news agency EFE indicated that the death toll is anticipated to rise. The Spanish Civil Guard has commenced the identification process for the 72 recovered bodies. This includes the collection of fingerprints and DNA samples, which is expected to be completed by the end of next week, according to Carlos Atuchi from the Civil Guard’s forensic science unit.
Some of the deceased reportedly drowned, while others lost their lives due to crush injuries while attempting to scale a breakwater or border fence.
Local resident Karima Abenaz expressed her sorrow regarding the fatalities, particularly noting the loss of young individuals at sea. “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,” she stated.
Ceuta’s leader, Juan Jesus Vivas, revealed to El Pais that the city’s morgue has received 88 bodies, including those of individuals who had perished in previous attempts to reach the territory. He noted that Moroccan authorities were also recovering bodies from the surrounding waters, although no official figures were provided.
Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Manuel Albares reiterated that nearly all individuals who had entered Ceuta have now returned to Morocco.
Ceuta, along with Melilla—a similar autonomous Spanish city in North Africa—serves as the European Union’s sole land border with Africa. Both cities frequently experience spikes in attempted crossings by migrants seeking to enter Europe.
Migrants typically take to the water to swim approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the Moroccan town of Fnideq to reach Spanish territory, with shorter routes available from the nearby town of Belyounech.
In response to the recent influx, authorities have bolstered police and military patrols and introduced a 500-meter (1,600-foot) floating barrier off the coast of Ceuta. Spain has pursued a more open policy regarding migrants compared to many other EU nations and has established a residency program for over half a million undocumented individuals. The Spanish government has denied claims that the program contributed to the surge in crossings, asserting that those who entered Ceuta illegally cannot proceed to mainland Spain or other areas within the Schengen zone.
