Ceuta faces surge in sea‑borne migrant crossings, families rescued

On Tuesday, dozens of migrants, including families, attempted to swim from Morocco to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Spanish Civil Guard, Morocco’s Royal Navy and the Maritime Service coordinated a large rescue operation, pulling over 100 people ashore and the Moroccan navy intercepting about 300 swimmers, while other groups entered unnoticed.

In the past week more than a thousand arrivals by sea overwhelmed Ceuta’s Temporary Immigration Stay Center (CETI) and the system for protecting unaccompanied minors, which now cares for 430 children. Emergency facilities have been reopened to cope with the influx. The government of neighboring Melilla voiced concern, warning that similar pressure could affect its own territory.

Authorities referenced a recent Supreme Court ruling that the “hot‑return” regime does not apply to sea crossings, meaning migrants must be processed under ordinary deportation procedures. Officials also warned that criminal networks are exploiting the situation, prompting calls for stronger maritime barriers on the Moroccan coast.