Hundreds of Migrants Swim to Ceuta from Morocco Amid Surge in Crossings

Hundreds of migrants took advantage of thick mist to swim to Spain’s Ceuta enclave from Morocco over the weekend, with local police reporting around 1,500 attempts on Sunday night alone, Arab News reported yesterday.

Since Thursday, an average of 700 migrants have attempted to enter Ceuta daily, highlighting a significant increase in crossings.

Many migrants were intercepted near El Tarajal beach, with Moroccan nationals typically returned immediately, unless they are minors or seeking asylum. Other nationalities are housed in special centers before being released.

This surge coincides with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s upcoming visit to West Africa, aimed at curbing migration to the Canary Islands, which has seen a 154% increase this year, with over 21,600 crossings reported in the first seven months. Authorities anticipate that as many as 150,000 additional migrants may attempt the dangerous journey in the coming months, driven by conflicts and economic crises in their home countries.