Ceuta grapples with aftermath of border surge after most migrants leave the Spanish territory

Guardia Civil officers recover the body of a migrant from the water in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Sempere) 03 Aug 2026 05:23AM CEUTA, Spain: Ceuta over the weekend no longer looked like a city on edge, but the events of the week were still on everyone’s minds.Most of the 60,

Ceuta grapples with aftermath of border surge after most migrants leave the Spanish territory  CNN

Most of the 60,000 migrants who swam, scrambled and later charged into the tiny Spanish exclave in North Africa this week had walked back to Morocco by Sunday, but some stayed on in the hills surrounding the city.

Ceuta grapples with aftermath of border surge after most migrants leave the Spanish territory  Toronto Star

Most of the 60,000 migrants who swam, scrambled and later charged into the tiny Spanish exclave in North Africa this week had walked back to Morocco by Sunday

Dozens died, and the tiny enclave of Ceuta was thrown into chaos earlier this week after a rush of migrants entered from Morocco.

But the city that prides itself on being home to four cultures was still grappling with the aftermath of the border surge, with locals disagreeing on what caused it and who exactly is to blame.

Ceuta is grappling with the aftermath of a massive migrant surge

Ceuta is grappling with the aftermath of a massive migrant surge

Ceuta grapples with aftermath of border surge after most migrants leave the Spanish territory  AP News

CEUTA, Spain (AP) -- Tens of thousands of migrants who crossed into Spain's tiny Ceuta territory returned voluntarily to Morocco on Friday, a day afte

About 48,000 of the up to 60,000 people who came into Ceuta from Morocco returned within a day. Still, the sudden influx created a crisis for Spain’s pro-immigration government. Nearly three dozen died.

Spain deployed its armed forces and additional police to restore order in Ceuta.

Spain announced it will deploy military units to reinforce police in the North African enclave of Ceuta after a surge of migrants crossed from Morocco by sea and breached border barriers on July 30. Video showed migrants arriving on flotation devices and pushing past overwhelmed police officers. Authorities said additi

An estimated 20,000 migrants entered the North African enclave of Ceuta during a dramatic surge at the border.

Migration has been a politically sensitive issue for Morocco and Spain for years. Now it's become a flashpoint.