People gather along the fence at the site of clashes near Fnideq, on the Morocco-Spain border, on July 31, 2026. Thousands of migrants crossed overnight from Morocco into Spain’s north Africa’s Ceuta enclave, a police source said on July 31, adding that it was impossible to estimate how many people in total. A total of 18 people died while attempting to reach the Spanish enclave, the source said. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP)
Thousands of migrants crossed overnight from Morocco into Spain’s north Africa’s Ceuta enclave, a police source said on Friday, as Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was set to arrive to manage the latest migrant crisis on the border.
In recent days, a total of around 40,000 migrants have crossed into the territory — population 80,000 — the source added.
The sudden massive influx has sparked a crisis for Spain’s government and prompted France to announce tighter checks on its border with Spain.
Madrid has sent troops to boost security in Ceuta. Sanchez and his interior minister were due to visit the enclave’s Tarajal border on Friday, the government said.
