Tragedy in Ceuta: Migration Crisis Death Toll Rises to 72 as Bodies Wash Ashore

The migration crisis in Ceuta deepens as the death toll climbs to 72, prompting an extraordinary meeting of EU ministers and sparking political friction among member states.

The Outbreak of the Crisis in Ceuta

The crisis in Ceuta erupted when, on Thursday and Friday, approximately 60,000 migrants forced their way from Morocco into the Spanish exclave, which is inhabited by 83,000 people. Already by Friday evening, the Spanish Ministry of the Interior reported that the vast majority of migrants had returned to Morocco.

Perez Triano stated that although an increase in the number of migrants attempting to illegally cross into Ceuta had been recorded from Monday to Wednesday—numbering over a thousand people during those three days—the government had no information indicating that mass border crossings on such a scale would occur over the following two days.

He also reported that more than 3,000 personnel, including members of the armed forces, police officers, and the Civil Guard deployed to Ceuta to ensure security, will remain there “as long as necessary.” According to Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE, several hundred migrants who arrived in recent days remain in Ceuta.

Rising Casualties and Ongoing Body Recoveries

Saturday’s reports spoke of 67 victims, and by Sunday, that number rose to 72. “El País” reported that despite official data, authorities in the Spanish exclave claim that 88 bodies have been recovered from the water. “Some of the remains are in an advanced state of decomposition as they continue to wash ashore more than two weeks after the mass border crossings,” the publication stated.

Extraordinary Meeting of EU Ministers

In connection with the situation in Ceuta, an extraordinary meeting of EU interior and justice ministers will take place on Tuesday. Following the outbreak of the crisis, some European Union countries suggested suspending cooperation with Spain within the Schengen area.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, in a letter sent on Saturday to EU leaders, criticized countries that—instead of offering support—demanded a limitation of Spain’s participation in the Schengen area due to the migration crisis in Ceuta.

In a letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, and Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, whose country holds the presidency of the EU Council, Sanchez called for the urgent convening of a videoconference of interior ministers.

Spanish Prime Minister Condemns “Selfish and Unlawful” Reaction

As he emphasized, the reaction of some member states to the events in Ceuta was “selfish, polarizing, and unlawful.” According to the Spanish prime minister, within less than 48 hours, Spanish authorities restored full border control, provided humanitarian aid, returned almost all migrants who crossed the border illegally, and prevented their further movement to continental Europe.

Sanchez noted that these actions were carried out in cooperation with the Moroccan authorities and with “very limited support” from other EU countries. At the same time, he recalled that Spain showed solidarity with partners during previous migration crises, accepting migrants following the crisis on the border with Belarus in 2021 and after the influx of migrants to the Italian island of Lampedusa in 2023.

The Prime Minister wrote that the majority of member states expressed support for Spain and offered assistance, but some governments chose to attack Madrid and demand the temporary exclusion of Spain from the Schengen area. He did not name these countries, but the context indicated that it primarily concerned Italy.

Sanchez rejected the arguments of critics, emphasizing that Ceuta does not belong to the Schengen area, almost all migrants have already been returned, and Spain—according to Frontex data—is among the countries best protecting the external EU border.