Ceuta overwhelmed as migrants swim

Seven children reach shore as dozens are intercepted on a risky crossing, underscoring pressure on Ceuta’s reception system.

Ceuta overwhelmed as migrants swim from Morocco into Spain

About 100 people, including several children, tried to swim from Morocco into Ceuta early Saturday. Seven children reached the shore and were handed over to regional authorities. Foggy conditions limited visibility, but Moroccan security forces and Spain’s Guardia Civil, with rescue boats, blocked the entry to Ceuta. Those intercepted are returned to Morocco.

Ceuta’s authorities say the enclave’s reception system is overwhelmed. Last month the city’s president called the situation unsustainable, and current data show the strain: Ceuta hosted 528 foreign minors when capacity was officially 27. Contingency plans exist to relocate minors to other Spanish regions. A 2024 decree redistributed about 4,400 foreign minors across the Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla, drawing political backlash from the conservative PP and the far-right Vox. International figures underline the danger: UN IOM data show 572 deaths or disappearances last year in the crossing to Spain, with 155 so far this year, including seven children.

Policy makers face a tug of war between border control and humanitarian duty. The relocation scheme is meant to spread the load, but it tests regional cooperation and budgetary limits across Spain. The political backlash from PP and Vox shows how hard it is to build a broad coalition for shared responsibility.

At the human level, the incident underscores the ongoing risk and the need for credible safeguards for minors. As Europe debates protective policies, the sea remains a powerful and unforgiving border that policymakers must respect with clear, humane standards and steady funding.

Highlights

The policy path ahead will determine how Europe balances border security with protection for those in need.