Spanish intelligence services warned of social media calls for a mass migrant crossing into Ceuta the day before tens of thousands of people entered the territory, newly released government documents show. …
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has said no-one foresaw the influx of 72,000 migrants in the exclave of Ceuta, as pressure mounts over his handling of the crisis. …
… The Minister drew attention to the growing desperation among Africa’s youth, citing recent attempts by thousands of young Africans to enter Ceuta (Spain) and the deaths recorded during the dangerous migration journeys. …
… Referring to recent images of more than 72,000 young Africans who reportedly breached fences to enter Ceuta in Spain, Ablakwa said the development should “bring home the urgency of silencing the guns.” He stressed the need for African governments to change their priorities, calli …
… In contrast, arrivals to Spain via the Western Mediterranean route rose 66 per cent to 5,647, driven by a threefold jump in land crossings into Ceuta and Melilla. …
The status of the North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla as Spanish territories is not up for discussion, Spanish officials said on Wednesday, after Morocco’s justice minister reiterated Rabat’s sovereignty claims over the cities. …
… The measures – which started at midnight (22:00 GMT) and will last for a month – come a week after Italy introduced similar restrictions following an influx of about 78,000 migrants from Morocco into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta. …
… The measures – coming into force at midnight (22:00 GMT) and lasting for a month – come a week after Italy introduced similar restrictions following an influx of about 78,000 migrants from Morocco into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta. …
Spain's National Intelligence Service warned Moroccan and Ceuta authorities on 29 July of social media calls for a mass migrant crossing the following day, according to declassified government documents. Declassified papers contradict Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's claim that the 30–31 July migrant influx, in which at least 72,000 people crossed into Ceuta with at least 100 deaths, was impossible to predict.
Spain's National Intelligence Service warned Moroccan and Ceuta authorities on 29 July of social media calls for a mass migrant crossing the following day, according to declassified government documents. Declassified papers contradict Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's claim that the 30–31 July migrant influx, in which at least 72,000 people crossed into Ceuta with at least 100 deaths, was impossible to predict.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez told parliament that no one foresaw the arrival of 72,000 migrants in the exclave of Ceuta and that the government did not know and do nothing. Most migrants have since been sent back to Morocco, though some 5,000 remain, including as many as 1,400 children.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs, has called for earnest introspection and a new leadership paradigm anchored in tolerance and compassion to address persistent conflicts, terrorism, violent extremism and humanitarian crises across Africa. He told the African Union's Executive Council that African leaders must change attitudes and approaches rather than continue to normalise the tragedies plaguing the continent.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, addressed the African Union Executive Council's extraordinary meeting on Conflict Resolution and Prevention in Angola, calling on African leaders to undertake an honest assessment of the causes of conflicts and urge them to prioritize job creation and addressing factors such as injustice, lack of opportunities for youth, underdevelopment, corruption, and resource exploitation.
Deaths more than doubled on the Central Mediterranean and nearly tripled on the Eastern Mediterranean in the first four months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, even as overall arrivals to Europe fell sharply, according to the International Organisation for Migration.
Moroccan authorities intercepted more than 100 people seeking to cross into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, with security sources citing 111 detentions near the town of Fnideq. The operation followed a spike in security after roughly 78,000 migrants arrived in Ceuta by sea a fortnight earlier, and warnings of a planned second mass crossing attempt.
BBC investigation identifies dozens of Instagram profiles portraying the Morocco-Ceuta crossing as safe and easy while offering paid guidance, though people have died attempting the route. Roughly 78,000 migrants arrived by sea into Ceuta in a matter of hours last month, with 100 deaths reported.
Morocco's justice minister reiterated Rabat's sovereignty claims over the Spanish North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, the first public assertion of the issue since a border crisis in late July when an estimated 72,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta, killing at least 96 people. Spain's Defence Minister affirmed that Ceuta and Melilla are integral Spanish territory and not open to discussion.
Spain has imposed border controls on air and sea travel from Italy, escalating a dispute between the two EU nations following an influx of about 78,000 migrants from Morocco into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta. Italy introduced similar restrictions and says it will maintain them at least until 15 August, citing concerns about onward migration.
Spain will impose border controls on air and sea travel from Italy for one month, escalating a dispute between the two EU countries over an influx of about 78,000 migrants into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta. Italy had introduced similar restrictions following the migrant arrivals, and Rome said it would maintain checks until at least 15 August.
Ceuta's leader said between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants remain in the Spanish territory following last week's arrival of roughly 78,000 people from Morocco, which resulted in 100 deaths. He criticised the national government's response as late and insufficient, while noting that nearly 75,000 migrants have since been returned to Morocco.
A boat attempting to cross the Channel to the UK caught fire on Tuesday morning, with French authorities rescuing 157 people and taking them to port in Boulogne-sur-Mer. There are no reports of injuries or deaths.
A senior Moroccan official said Spain should have anticipated the consequences of a court ruling that weakened migration deterrence, which contributed to mass crossings into Ceuta last week. Spain estimates about 69,500 migrants have returned from Ceuta to Morocco since the crossing, while Moroccan authorities say about 40,000 people entered the enclave; the death toll stands at 72 on the Spanish side and 11 on the Moroccan side.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for "united action" on border security following a large influx of migrants from Morocco into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, where about 69,500 migrants have now returned to Morocco and 72 deaths were recorded on the Spanish side. The crisis has strained EU relations, prompting emergency talks among interior ministers and causing Italy, Finland, and Denmark to suspend or call for suspension of Schengen arrangements with Spain.
Spain installed a 500-metre floating barrier off Ceuta after about 50,000 people crossed into the North African enclave in a mass rush that killed at least 67 people; more than 48,000 returned to Morocco within 48 hours, and the EU called an emergency meeting to discuss coordinated border protection.
At least 72 people died in a mass rush of migrants from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta last week, after more than 50,000 crossed by land and sea. Some drowned and others were crushed while attempting to climb a breakwater and border fence; more than 1,000 received medical treatment.
Spain has condemned the "selfish, polarising and unlawful" reaction of some EU countries to about 60,000 migrants crossing from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Italy, Finland, and Denmark have suspended or called for suspension of the Schengen border-free arrangement with Spain, with EU interior ministers set to meet Tuesday to discuss the crisis.
Spain has condemned the "selfish, polarising and unlawful" reaction of some EU countries to about 60,000 migrants from Morocco reaching the enclave of Ceuta on 30 July. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Spain had restored border control and prevented unauthorised onward movement within 48 hours, while Italian and other EU governments suspended or urged suspension of Spain's Schengen membership, citing the influx.
About 49,000 migrants have crossed into Spain's North African territory of Ceuta from Morocco in the last 24 hours via land and sea, according to Spanish officials. At least 18 people have died while trying to reach the territory in recent days, with crossings continuing despite border controls apparently breaking down.
About 49,000 migrants have crossed into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco in 24 hours, with videos showing thousands swimming into the city; officials say at least 18 have died in recent days and at least 7,000 of those who crossed are minors.
Hundreds of migrants have entered Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco over the past week, swimming and using flotation devices, with the territory's leader saying resources are overwhelmed and the Spanish Interior Minister expected to visit on Friday. Spain's interior ministry attributes the influx to human trafficking networks exploiting a recent Supreme Court ruling that prevents summary return of migrants intercepted at sea.
Hundreds of migrants have entered Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco over the past week, with the territory's leader warning that resources are overwhelmed and calling for government intervention. Spanish media reported between 2,000 and 3,000 people entered on Thursday alone, though figures remain conflicting, and over 1,500 migrants have reached Ceuta in the past two weeks.