Arabic version: عبور سبتة يدفع إسبانيا إلى خطة لإقامة حاجز

According to France 24, an estimated 60,000 migrants crossed into Spain’s enclave of Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco over just a few days. Officials said almost all of the tens of thousands of people who entered the enclave had left by Saturday.

At least 67 people died during the crossing attempts, France 24 reported. The mass arrivals in Ceuta, which borders Morocco, have prompted a response from Spanish authorities and concern across the European Union.

Spain has announced plans to install a 500-metre-long containment barrier along the sea border. The proposed measure follows the crossings from Morocco into the Spanish enclave.

A majority of EU countries have also called for emergency talks. Their request was made in an open letter to the bloc’s interior ministers, France 24 said.

The France 24 report, issued on August 1, 2026, described the events as dwarfing the 2021 migration crisis in Ceuta. Aida Alami, a reporter and New York Times World contributor, provided further insights in the report.