At least 18 die as thousands of migrants reach Spain’s African enclave of Ceuta – Europe live
Key events2m agoSpanish opposition calls on Sánchez to 'defend our national security'6m ago49,000 people believed to cross into Cueta, more than half of its population15m agoMorning opening: Spain faces. . .
Key events2m agoSpanish opposition calls on Sánchez to 'defend our national security'6m ago49,000 people believed to cross into Cueta, more than half of its population15m agoMorning opening: Spain faces migration crisis in north African enclave of CuetaSpanish opposition calls on Sánchez to 'defend our national security'Sam Jonesin MadridThe opposition People’s party (PP) is calling on Sánchez to produce a swift and tough response, saying the small military and police reinforcements announced last night are insufficient. The PP’s leader,Alberto Núñez Feijóo,is not dialling down his language. Alberto Nuñez Feijoo appears before the media at a press conference last week. Photograph: Atilano Garcia/SOPA Images/Shutterstock“People have continued to arrive in Ceuta throughout the night, and those on the ground describe an occupied city, with nothing sufficient being done to prevent it,” he’s just posted on X. “In Melilla, too, around 400 irregulars have entered. I insist that Sánchez must defend our national security, our territorial integrity, and our coexistence. As prime minister, he has instruments and means at his disposal, and all that remains is for him to give the orders. As serious as what is happening is the fact that the Government is reacting with this weakness. All of Spain stands with Ceuta and Melilla. ”The far-rightVoxparty, meanwhile, is calling the influx “an invasion”. 49,000 people believed to cross into Cueta, more than half of its populationSam Jonesin MadridThe Spanish interior ministryhas just said that more than 49,000 people are believed to have swum or walked into Ceuta over the past 24 hours. Migrants from Morocco arrive at the Spanish border, in Ceuta, Spain. Photograph: Fabian Bimmer/ReutersThat,obviously is a huge number,and dwarves the 10,000 people who entered the territory during the border crisis in 2021. Thatmass crossing came amid heightened tensions between Madrid and Rabatover Spain’s decision to allow a western Sahara independence leader to be treated for Covid-19 inSpain. To give some perspective, the population of Ceuta is around 85,000. The Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, is en route to Ceuta,where he is expected to visit the Tarajal border and speak to the media some time after midday local time. Morning opening: Spain faces migration crisis in north African enclave of CuetaJakub KrupaAt least 18 people died as thousands of migrants breached the Spanish-Moroccan border in Cueta yesterday, prompting concerns about a fresh migration crisis and questions over the implications for theEuropean Union. Hundreds of migrants run and cheer as they enter Spain’s enclave of CeutaA spokesperson for the Guardia Civil force, which polices Spain’s borders, said the migrants were “massively entering from the sea”through the Tarajal breakwater, but could not provide an estimate of the numbers. Spain’s interior minister said on Friday that it estimatedsome 49,000 migrants crossed into Cueta over the past 24 hours. More people were reported crossing into the enclave over night,with Spanish media reporting “passivity” from the Moroccan police. Hundreds of migrants have attempted to swim from Morocco to the Spanish city of Ceuta in north Africa. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty ImagesSeveral migrants have attempted to swim from Morocco to the Spanish city of Ceuta in north Africa. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty ImagesIn response,the Spanish government is deploying extra troops and police officers to protect the borderbetween the tiny African enclave and neighbouring Morocco. Spanish prime ministerPedro Sánchezis expected to visit the territory later today. Butthe fresh migration crisis sparked also a conflict within the European Union as Italian authorities demanded Spain to be suspended from open border Schengen areauntil they restore control. In a rare direct clash between two EU countries, Italy’s far-right prime ministerGiorgia Meloniangrily saidthat pictures coming from Cueta demonstrated that “uncontrolled illegal immigration poses a concrete threat to the security of Europe’s borders. ”“Italy will not stand by and watch. …We are prepared to intervenewith extraordinary measuresto defend the borders and the safety of citizens, including the suspension of the Schengen Area with Spain,” she said. Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani backed her calls, saying he was in favour of Spain’s suspension,and linking the migration crisis with a recent decision with the Spanish government’s decision to regularise over 500,000 undocumented migrants resident in Spain. In response,Spanish foreign minister José Manuel Albares said the Italian comments were “unbecoming of a foreign minister of a partner and friendly country”dismissing them as “partisan demagoguery,” and saidhe would summon the Italian ambassador to Madrid on Friday. Instead,he linked the influx of migrants with a recent decision by Spain’s supreme courtsaying that migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to reach Ceuta or Melilla could not be summarily returned under the enclaves’ special border rejection regime. I will bring you all the updates as the day progresses. It’sFriday, 31 July 2026, it’sJakub Krupahere, and this isEurope Live. Good morning.