Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska announced on 1/8 that the migration crisis in Ceuta, an autonomous city in North Africa, has "almost been completely resolved".

Almost all illegal migrants who arrived on 30/7 have either voluntarily departed or been escorted out of Ceuta, while border crossing attempts have ceased.

Spanish soldiers and police have increased patrols on Tarajal beach, one of the most common crossing points into Ceuta, while patrol boats continuously monitor the coastal area.

Spanish military personnel found an illegal migrant hiding in a drainage pipe in Ceuta on the morning of 1/8. Photo: Reuters

Spanish military personnel found an illegal migrant hiding in a drainage pipe in Ceuta on the morning of 1/8. Photo: Reuters

The Spanish Civil Guard began installing a floating barrier at the Tarajal breakwater. This system, approximately 500 meters long, combines a floating barrier with fixed mooring buoys. It rises 30-70 centimeters above the water and extends about one meter below the surface. Corridors between the barriers will allow Civil Guard patrol boats to operate.

Spanish officials estimate that about 50,000 to 60,000 people crossed into Ceuta by land and sea on 30-31/7, marking an unprecedented mass migration event at this land gateway between the European Union (EU) and Africa. Spain has recorded at least 67 deaths due to drowning or crushing during the crossings.

The Spanish Civil Guard deployed a floating barrier in the waters between Ceuta and Morocco on the morning of 1/8. Photo: Reuters

The Spanish Civil Guard deployed a floating barrier in the waters between Ceuta and Morocco on the morning of 1/8. Photo: Reuters

Italy, Finland, and Denmark called for consideration of suspending Spain from the Schengen free travel agreement for failing to effectively protect the EU's borders. Rome later suspended the enforcement of the Schengen free travel agreement specifically with Spain, temporarily closing its sea and air borders with the country.

Twenty-two EU member states also called for an urgent online meeting of interior ministers to agree on a response and prevent further border crossings. Countries also proposed increasing support from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) and reviewing cooperation with Morocco.

Location of Spain's territories Ceuta and Melilla. Graphic: Open Society Foundation

Location of Spain's territories Ceuta and Melilla. Graphic: Open Society Foundation

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez supported the EU's swift convening of an interior ministers' meeting on 1/8, but criticized countries calling for Spain's suspension from the Schengen area as "selfish, divisive, and illegal".

He noted that Madrid had fully regained control of its borders in less than 48 hours, preventing any further illegal movement into mainland Europe. He accused human trafficking networks of exploiting an interpretation of a Supreme Court ruling to incite the wave of migration.

The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that all individuals departing Ceuta by sea or air must undergo identity checks by the police, as the area is not included in Schengen. Madrid also rejected the notion that its program to legalize over 500,000 undocumented immigrants had stimulated the border crossing wave. The government asserted that those seeking legalization must prove they resided in Spain before 1/1/2026 and had at least 5 months of continuous residency when submitting their applications.

Thanh Danh (According to Reuters, BBC, AFP)