The migration crisis in Ceuta claims the lives of 19 people who were trying to swim from Morocco

The crisis facing Ceuta due to "migratory pressure" continues to claim lives. So far, according to police sources, 19 bodies of migrants who have died by drowning while trying to illegally enter the Spanish city from Morocco through the border breakwater have been found, a point of entry for more than 20,000 people who have skirted the Tarajal breakwater, as indicated by police estimates.

In July of this year alone, 30 migrants drowned while trying to reach the neighboring country. In this way, the number of deaths exceeds that of 2025, where 46 deaths were registered associated with a migration crisis of similar characteristics.

A situation "of absolute humanitarian and social emergency"

Given the seriousness of the situation, the president of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas, has asked the Government for "help" and to declare a "national emergency" due to the crisis situation being experienced.

Vivas has expressed his concern about this situation, which he considers "is one of absolute humanitarian and social emergency." He also highlighted that just this Wednesday more than 800 migrants of Moroccan and Algerian origin have attempted to enter the community irregularly. Likewise, he has attributed this migratory pressure to the "fact of being the only land and sea border, along with Melilla, that Spain and Europe have in Africa," which is why he considers the involvement of the European Union necessary.

Sánchez will be present in Ceuta

The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, will travel this Friday at 11:40 a.m. to the Spanish autonomous city, along with the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, where he will hold a meeting with Vivas; the Government delegate, Miguel Ángel Pérez, the heads of the National Police and the Civil Guard, and the directors of the Temporary Immigrant Stay Center (CETI) and the Red Cross, in the Assembly Palace.

Spain and Morocco agree on the return of migrants

According to sources from the Ministry of the Interior, Spain and Morocco are working to "strengthen coordination and efforts to face these flows and have committed to review and implement measures for the delivery, as soon as possible, of all people who have entered illegally."

However, on Friday morning, according to sources confirmed by 'EFE', more than a hundred migrants are being returned to Morocco through the same place they entered, while other groups of people continue to arrive.