Spain’s Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska provided updated figures on the migrants who entered Ceuta last week, while European Union ministers addressed the crisis on Tuesday. Grande-Marlaska stated that approximately 72,000 migrants arrived at the Spanish border last week, with 70,000 having returned to Morocco since then. Local official Alejandro Ramírez estimated that around 3,000 to 5,000 migrants remain in the city.
The Spanish government announced a budget of 25 million euros ($40.5 million Cdn) to support minors in Ceuta. Additionally, the Spanish Civil Guard has established a missing persons office at the border’s customs house and provided an email address for reporting missing individuals.
Many migrants voluntarily returned after realizing the challenges of reaching mainland Europe or the limited capacity of the small enclave to accommodate them. Among the remaining migrants in Ceuta are individuals from various countries like Sudan, Palestine, Afghanistan, and other African nations.
A significant number of unaccompanied minors, totaling around 1,000, are currently in Ceuta, facing challenges in a foreign environment. Grande-Marlaska confirmed an increased death toll of 75 migrants, primarily due to incidents in the water during the crossing. Ceuta officials had warned of the influx before the surge occurred.
The EU ministers discussed various measures to address the situation, including enhancing intelligence sharing, monitoring social media for early detection of migration patterns, and strengthening border security. Denmark and Italy emphasized the need for stricter migration policies during the emergency talks.
Migration remains a contentious issue within the EU, especially following the 2015-16 crisis, with a recent uptick in irregular border crossings amid the pandemic. Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, reported significant declines in irregular crossings in 2025 and the first half of 2026.
The EU is negotiating a comprehensive partnership agreement with Morocco to address the root causes of migration. While the situation in Ceuta has highlighted challenges, discussions at the EU level aim to find sustainable solutions to manage future migration flows effectively.