More than 49,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in 48 hours, Spanish authorities estimated, with the figure later raised to 60,000 within a single day. At least 34 migrants died during the crossing, according to reports in Los Andes and El Espectador; other outlets, including El Día, placed the death toll at 41. The Spanish government deployed the army, Guardia Civil, national police, divers, a naval vessel, and drones to reinforce the border, while the president of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas, called for a declaration of “humanitarian and social emergency”.

The crisis was triggered by a Spanish Supreme Court ruling issued on June 29, which determined that migrants intercepted at sea cannot be returned automatically to Morocco, as had been the practice. The court held that the “rejection at the border” mechanism applies only to those who scale physical barriers on land, and that maritime arrivals must undergo standard immigration procedures including legal aid and the right to seek asylum. The ruling created an incentive for sea crossings, the court itself acknowledged, and left open the possibility of Spain installing “containment elements at sea” to reverse the situation.

Viewed from Madrid, the crisis also reflects diplomatic tensions with Rabat. Moroccan authorities did not prevent the mass crossings, which coincided with the Throne Day holiday of King Mohammed VI. Several European countries reportedly threatened to suspend the Schengen free-travel zone with Spain, while the European Commission offered Frontex assistance and confirmed talks with Morocco to prevent further loss of life. The dispute follows a pattern: in May 2021, Morocco allowed around 8,000 people to cross into Ceuta after a diplomatic row over Spain’s decision to treat a Polisario Front leader in a Spanish hospital. Tensions eased only after Madrid changed its position on Western Sahara and met with the Moroccan monarch the following year.

Ceuta, along with Melilla, constitutes the only land border between the European Union and Africa. The territory has been under Spanish sovereignty since the 17th century, but Morocco has long claimed both enclaves as part of its historical territory. The enclaves operate under a special Schengen derogation: anyone leaving Ceuta for the Spanish mainland or other EU countries must show identity documents. The Spanish government is continuing border control and humanitarian assistance operations in Ceuta, while the Supreme Court’s ruling and its implications remain a subject of political debate among Spanish parties.