Madrid, Spain – King Felipe VI of Spain held urgent telephone conversations with both Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and the mayor of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas, to discuss the repercussions of the severe irregular migration crisis that has been impacting the autonomous city in recent days, according to a statement from the Spanish Royal Palace. These calls come as authorities grapple with an unprecedented influx of people that has exceeded all previous expectations and estimates.
Record numbers: 40,000 migrants drown in Ceuta; population doubles unexpectedly
Initial estimates from security forces indicate that more than 40,000 migrants have entered Ceuta irregularly in recent days, with the largest influx occurring last Thursday. This staggering number far surpasses the figure recorded during the May 2021 crisis, which saw approximately 10,000 arrivals. With some sources estimating the number of arrivals at around 50,000, this surge represents an increase of nearly 50% in the enclave’s total population of 83,600. This situation has led to a massive influx of migrants into the city’s streets, with hundreds spending the night in the open. One local resident described the scene as resembling a “continuous demonstration.”
Crises spread to Melilla and require joint security containment
Meanwhile, the Melilla government confirmed that between 300 and 400 people attempted to enter the city from Morocco, coinciding with the events in Ceuta. Speaking to COPE radio, the president of the autonomous city, Juan José Imbroda, explained after the border closure at the Beni Enzar crossing: “We noticed an increase in the number of migrants in July, but not to the extent we saw in Ceuta,” praising the high level of efficiency of the joint operation carried out by the Civil Guard, the National Police, and the local police, which helped contain the situation.
On the other hand, the government delegation expressed reservations about the figures announced by the regional government, noting that with operations continuing throughout the night, it was impossible to provide accurate numbers. The special security operation ended around 7:00 AM, while the border remained temporarily closed.
