Migrants seen swimming around border fence of Spanish enclave Ceuta

Sun Sep 06 2026 03:19:18 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Hundreds of migrants turn to swimming and inflatable rafts as thousands flood Ceuta at the Morocco border.

Hundreds of migrants entered Ceuta via the border fence, many resorting to swimming and inflatables to reach the Spanish enclave on the north‑African coast. A gate in the fence was also used by some. Territory leader Juan Jesús Vivas said the arrivals were overwhelming local resources and called on Madrid for additional support. Reuters estimates between 2,000 and 3,000 people crossed on Thursday, though the Guardia Civil has not confirmed the figure. Ceuta, a long‑standing hotspot for migration into Europe, remains under intense pressure as new human waves arrive daily.

Migrants seen swimming around border fence of Spanish enclave Ceuta

Hundreds of migrants have breached the fence that marks Ceuta, Spain’s northern African enclave, using water and inflatable rafts. The water trickled through a shallow section of the barrier while other sea‑ice and plastic boats made for a rough journey. The sight of people floating freely in the shore’s brackish water shocked on‑lookers and added to the strain on local law enforcement.

Authorities also admitted that a gate in the border fence was used by dozens of migrants. Residents witnessed crowds emerging from the inland side, striding past security checks that were overwhelmed by the surge. In a statement, territory leader Juan Jesús Vivas urged the Spanish Government for urgent help, stressing that resources were stretched far beyond capacity.

Spanish media reported between 2,000 and 3,000 people entered Ceuta on Thursday. The Guardia Civil has yet to confirm these numbers. This latest wave underscores Ceuta’s role as a focal point for migrant flows from Morocco toward mainland Europe.

For more on this story and updates: BBC news.