PHOTOS: Thousands of migrants cross into Spain’s Ceuta in mass border breach

Thousands of migrants crossed into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta on Thursday after breaching the border from Morocco in one of the largest mass crossings in recent years.

According to Reuters, Spanish state television estimated that between 2,000 and 3,000 migrants entered the enclave within a single day.

Videos from the scene showed hundreds of migrants swimming around the Tarajal breakwater using inflatable tubes, while others forced their way through a border gate before running into the city, with some shouting, “Long live Spain.”

The influx overwhelmed Spanish border authorities, prompting concerns over security and humanitarian capacity.

Ceuta’s regional leader, Juan Jesus Vivas, warned that reception centres for unaccompanied minors were operating far beyond their capacity and described the situation as a humanitarian emergency. Many businesses in the city of about 85,000 residents reportedly shut their doors amid fears of unrest.

In response, Spain’s Interior Ministry announced plans to reinforce border security by deploying three army platoons, a military diving unit, a naval vessel and 200 additional special police officers to Ceuta by Friday.

The ministry also said migrants who entered the enclave illegally would be deported in line with existing immigration laws.

The latest incident echoes the May 2021 migration crisis, when about 10,000 people crossed into Ceuta from Morocco over several days, straining relations between the two countries and triggering a humanitarian response.