Spain says huge surge across border into enclave has reversed, half of migrants go back

Migrants return to Morocco from the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, on Jul 31, 2026. (Photo: AP/Antonio Sempere) 31 Jul 2026 09:32PM (Updated: 31 Jul 2026 09:34PM) CEUTA: Spain said on Friday (Jul 31) that it had reversed a huge rush of migrants into a Spanish enclave in North Africa, with thousands of people who had crossed the border by land and sea already heading back voluntarily.Moroccan forces beat back crowds with batons and tear gas at the gates to Ceuta, trying to prevent more from storming across into the tiny Spanish territory that juts on a spit of sandy land into the Mediterranean from Morocco.Spain's Interior Ministry said around 50,000 people had crossed the border since Thursday morning, and estimated that around 25,000 had already turned and gone back.Juan Jesus Vivas, head of C