Ceuta migrant crisis escalates as 72,000 cross border, 111 dead

Since late July 2026, an estimated 72,000 people, primarily young men, have illegally crossed from Morocco into the Spanish autonomous city of Ceuta, overwhelming local facilities and prompting a national emergency request. At least 111 migrants have died, with thousands still remaining in Ceuta by late August, leading to requests for EU Frontex assistance and protests from residents.