UPDATE: Police estimate 50,000 migrant arrivals in 24 hours as Spain deploys troops to Ceuta

The sheer scale of the influx forced some businesses, including several DIA supermarkets, to temporarily close as authorities struggled to respond. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez travelled to Ceuta on Friday July 31 as the government rushed reinforcements to the city.

Madrid has sent 60 soldiers, around 200 additional National Police officers and extra Guardia Civil personnel to reinforce the border and support local authorities.

The situation has also triggered a political storm beyond Spain’s borders. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called for extraordinary measures, including the possibility of suspending Schengen arrangements with Spain, arguing that the scale of the crossings represents a serious threat to European border security. Spain has rejected the criticism, insisting it is managing the situation while working closely with Morocco and European partners.

A city stretched beyond capacity

Ceuta covers just 18.5 square kilometres, making it one of Spain’s smallest territories. Reception centres were already close to capacity before the latest arrivals, and hundreds of migrants have reportedly been left without accommodation.

Regional leaders have described the situation as an “absolute humanitarian and social emergency” and called on Madrid to declare a national emergency, saying the city’s resources have been overwhelmed.

Human cost of the crossings

Many migrants were filmed swimming around the Tarajal breakwater using inflatable rings, makeshift flotation devices or simply attempting the crossing unaided. Others entered on foot after breaches at border points.

The crossings have also claimed lives. Authorities say at least 19 people have died, while emergency teams have continued searching coastal waters. Among those making the journey were families and children who had travelled from Morocco hoping to reach European territory.

Comparisons to the 2021 crisis

The events have drawn immediate comparisons with the May 2021 migration crisis, when around 10,000 people entered Ceuta over two days during a diplomatic dispute between Spain and Morocco.

Many Spanish officials and police representatives believe the latest emergency is even more significant because of the speed and scale of the arrivals. However, the precise figures remain contested. While international news agencies have reported confirmed entries in the low thousands, police estimates cited by several Spanish media outlets place the number at around 50,000 arrivals within 24 hours.

Spanish authorities say they are continuing to work with Morocco to reduce further crossings and process returns where permitted under existing agreements, while security forces remain on high alert as the humanitarian and political fallout continues.