Ceuta migrant crisis death toll reaches 72 as EU tensions mount

The death toll from last Thursday's mass migrant crossing into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta reached at least 72 on Sunday after five more bodies were recovered along the city's coastline, officials confirmed. The unprecedented surge, which saw more than 50,000 people cross into Ceuta by land and sea from Morocco, has triggered a diplomatic crisis across Europe and drawn far-right politicians to the enclave amid heated protests.

An Enclave in Crisis

Miguel Ángel Pérez, the Spanish government's representative in Ceuta, told reporters on Sunday that more than 1,000 people had been treated by health services since the crossings began on Thursday. Many victims drowned while attempting to swim into the enclave, while others were crushed trying to scale a breakwater and border fence. Ceuta's regional leader, Juan Jesús Vivas, told the newspaper El País that the city's morgue had received 88 bodies in total, including some who died in smaller, hazardous nighttime crossing attempts over the preceding two weeks.telegraphindia+2

More than 48,000 of those who entered Ceuta returned voluntarily to Morocco within 48 hours, with more following over the weekend. Spanish authorities have reinforced police and military patrols and installed a 500-metre floating barrier off the coast to deter further crossings. Officials blamed criminal networks for spreading false social media rumours suggesting a recent Supreme Court immigration ruling would allow migrants easier passage.reuters+2

Political Fallout at Home and Abroad

The crisis has drawn sharp political reactions. Far-right European Parliament member Alvise Pérez traveled to Ceuta on Saturday, calling for migrants to be expelled before being confronted by angry counterprotesters and forced to shelter in a bar until police escorted him away. Vox party leader Santiago Abascal visited Sunday, calling the surge "an invasion" and accusing the Spanish government of failing to protect its borders.telegraphindia

"It pains me deeply that young people are dying at sea. It's not right that, in the year 2026, women with children as young as two months old should be crossing the sea only to die," said Karima Abenaz, a French national in Ceuta with family in Morocco.reuters

European Response

Twenty-two EU member states signed a letter demanding coordinated action to protect the bloc's external borders, and the European Union scheduled an emergency video conference for Tuesday. Italy suspended passport-free Schengen travel arrangements with Spain for one month. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez criticized what he called the "selfish" response of some European partners.straitstimes+2

Spain has rejected claims that its programme to regularize more than half a million undocumented migrants encouraged the rush, insisting that those who entered Ceuta irregularly cannot travel onward to mainland Spain or elsewhere in the Schengen zone. Pope Leo XIV said Sunday he was "following with concern the alarming situation in Ceuta," asking that "solutions of peace, stability and justice may be found".reuters+1