Spain's Interior Ministry estimates that roughly 49,000 migrants crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco over the past day, the ministry said. The figure, if confirmed, would represent a sharp escalation of the migrant crisis that has strained the enclave's resources in recent days.
Spain's Interior Ministry estimated on Friday morning that roughly 49,000 migrants crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco in the past 24 hours, the ministry said. The estimate, reported by The Zioneer, marks the highest official figure yet in the ongoing migrant surge.
The figure comes after a series of unverified estimates. On Thursday evening, the Spanish Guardia Civil estimated up to 40,000 migrants had crossed the border fence, and a senior Spanish official said the number stood in the tens of thousands. A single source also claimed that 40,000 "invaders" had entered and would be naturalized, a claim that contradicted official statements that Spain and Morocco had agreed to repatriate irregular migrants. Earlier Friday, police reported that 18 migrants died attempting to reach the enclave, and Spain deployed 60 security personnel to assist local authorities.
Ceuta, a Spanish territory on the North African coast, has experienced periodic mass migration surges, often linked to Moroccan border policy and bilateral relations. The current crisis has strained the enclave's resources, with reports of migrants seeking accommodation without property owners' consent. The Zioneer has previously reported on the broader context of Spain's migration challenges, including a regularization program that received 1.3 million applications.
The Interior Ministry's estimate of 49,000 arrivals in a single day remains unverified by independent sources. The actual number of border crossers may differ, and the situation continues to develop.
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