The humanitarian toll quickly mounted.
Authorities said dozens of people died during the crossing attempts, with many victims reportedly drowning while trying to swim around the Tarajal breakwater. Others were caught in a deadly crush near the border fencing as thousands attempted to force their way through at the same time.
Images from the coastline showed abandoned flotation devices, shoes, backpacks, and other belongings floating in the water or scattered across the shoreline, underscoring the scale of the tragedy.
Ceuta President Juan Jesús Vivas did not downplay the severity of the crisis.
He described the situation as “absolutely unsustainable,” explaining that the number of arrivals amounted to nearly 70 percent of the city’s permanent population.
Spanish officials estimated that roughly 50,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta beginning Thursday morning. By Friday afternoon, authorities believed that approximately half had already either voluntarily returned to Morocco or were turned back as security efforts intensified.
President Trump weighed in on the unfolding events during an interview Friday morning with Fox News host Jacqui Heinrich.
“It’s terrible. Remember that picture. That’s going to be us in three years if the wrong side gets in,” Trump told Fox News host Jacqui Heinrich, referring to Democrats winning elections.
Trump also connected the Spanish crisis to the ongoing debate over U.S. border security.
“If the Democrats get in, you will not live a very good life.”
The scenes unfolding in Ceuta showed just how quickly border control can deteriorate once large crowds begin moving.
Video circulating online captured thousands of migrants scaling barriers, swimming with improvised flotation devices, and pouring into Spanish territory. Some could be heard shouting, “Viva España!” as they entered the enclave.
Across the border in the Moroccan city of Fnideq, unrest also erupted. Burned vehicles and confrontations between crowds and security forces were reported as Moroccan authorities attempted to contain additional crossings.
Police responded with tear gas, water cannons, and batons as they worked to disperse groups seeking to reach the border.
Humanitarian organizations and law enforcement officials acknowledged the immense challenges facing emergency responders.
Spanish Civil Guard workers’ association leader Rachid Sbihi called it a “serious humanitarian crisis,” as thousands of migrants were left sleeping in parks, sidewalks, and other public spaces while officials scrambled to provide aid.
Spain initially dispatched military personnel primarily to assist with humanitarian operations and support the growing number of injured rather than immediately focusing on full-scale border enforcement.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez traveled to Ceuta on Friday to assess the crisis firsthand.
He condemned what had happened, describing the mass crossing as “a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity” and an attack on the country’s sovereignty.
Sánchez argued that criminal smuggling organizations had misled many migrants into making the dangerous journey.
He also praised ongoing cooperation with Morocco, emphasizing that relations between the two countries were significantly stronger than during the major Ceuta migration crisis in 2021.
The Spanish leader pledged to devote every available government resource to restoring order.
His government announced additional deployments of Civil Guard officers and National Police while also promising to accelerate deportations of migrants who entered illegally, despite a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling limiting immediate returns for migrants intercepted at sea.
Moroccan authorities likewise stepped up efforts to halt additional crossings and facilitate the return of migrants already inside the enclave.
The developments also triggered strong reactions from leaders across Europe.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized what she called the “shocking” scenes emerging from Ceuta.
She warned that “uncontrolled illegal immigration poses a real threat to the security of Europe’s borders.”
Meloni also stated that Italy was prepared to adopt “extraordinary measures” to protect its national security, including potentially suspending the Schengen free-travel arrangement with Spain if necessary.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani argued that Spain’s recent decision to legalize hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants had encouraged additional migration attempts.
According to Tajani, the policy was “profoundly wrong” and served as an incentive for human trafficking organizations.
His remarks prompted Spain’s foreign minister to summon the Italian ambassador in protest.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also addressed the crisis.
She described the events in Ceuta as “unacceptable,” calling for dangerous crossings to stop immediately while urging authorities to dismantle smuggling operations and speed up migrant returns under existing European Union rules.
Von der Leyen additionally activated senior European commissioners to coordinate operational assistance, including the possible deployment of Frontex resources.
France responded by increasing border security as well.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez ordered enhanced inspections along the Spanish frontier over concerns that migrants could move freely through the Schengen zone.
French officials also signaled that Paris would support Spain through Frontex operations if requested.
Meanwhile, conservative leaders throughout Europe argued that the events in Ceuta demonstrated the consequences of weak immigration policies.
Spain’s opposition People’s Party demanded that the government quickly restore “effective control of the border” and ensure that those who entered illegally were returned as rapidly as possible.
As Spain races to regain control of Ceuta, the dramatic scenes are already reshaping political debate both in Europe and across the Atlantic, with immigration once again emerging as one of the defining issues heading into future elections.
