Spain has announced the deployment of military personnel to its North African enclave of Ceuta after hundreds of migrants crossed into the territory from Morocco, many by swimming, in one of the largest migration surges since 2021.
Spanish authorities also confirmed that nine migrants died while attempting the dangerous sea crossing.
The Interior Ministry said the Armed Forces will reinforce the Civil Guard to maintain security in Ceuta. The number of Civil Guard personnel in the enclave will nearly double from the current 80 officers, while additional diving teams and coastguard vessels have also been deployed.
According to local authorities, around 1,500 migrants have reached Ceuta by sea in recent days, overwhelming reception centres. Ceuta regional president Juan Vivas said the facilities had reached full capacity, with more than 200 arrivals per day.
The latest influx is the largest since May 2021, when over 10,000 migrants entered Ceuta within two days, straining relations between Spain and Morocco.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the government is mobilising all necessary resources and working with Moroccan and international authorities to restore normalcy. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska is expected to visit Ceuta to assess the situation.
The Spanish government attributed the crossings to human trafficking networks and said it would work with Morocco to return those who entered the territory illegally as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people, including children, were seen gathered near the Moroccan town of Fnideq, reportedly hoping to cross after rumours spread that the border would be opened.
The migration crisis has sparked political criticism within Spain, with opposition leaders calling for stronger border security and describing the situation as a national security concern.
