Jakarta, ThedailyID — Hundreds of Moroccan migrants swam across the sea into Ceuta, Spain’s North African enclave, on Thursday, July 30, in a mass attempt to enter Spanish territory illegally. The incident left nine people dead, authorities said.
Located on the northern coast of Africa and surrounded by Morocco, Ceuta has long served as a key entry point for migrants seeking to reach Europe.
Witnesses described seeing children and adults arriving soaked after crossing the water. Spanish police and Civil Guard officers largely monitored the situation, while some personnel directed new arrivals to a local migrant reception center.
“It is heartbreaking to see so many people suffering, and who knows how many actually drowned along the way,” one Ceuta resident told AFP.
“When they arrive, they face the harsh reality that they have nothing, and people treat them as though they are nobody,” the resident added.
Authorities later confirmed they had recovered the bodies of all nine victims.
Photos shared by media outlets and on social media showed large crowds gathering near the border, while many migrants were seen swimming toward the enclave.
In response, Spain’s Interior Ministry announced it would deploy additional security forces to Ceuta.
“The Armed Forces will reinforce the Civil Guard in carrying out its duties and any other responsibilities necessary to maintain security in the city of Ceuta,” the ministry said, according to AFP.
The government did not specify how many troops it would send. Spain also plans to deploy divers and coast guard units to support the response.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the government would prioritize an immediate response to the crisis.
“We are mobilizing all the necessary resources, working with Moroccan and international authorities, and preparing the measures needed to restore normality as soon as possible,” Sánchez said.
Migration from Morocco to the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla has remained a politically sensitive issue for years. Spain’s migrant regularization policies have drawn both support and criticism as the country continues to face pressure at its southern border.
