Spain and Morocco have bolstered the border fence of a Spanish enclave, effectively reducing mass crossings after a significant influx of people arrived by sea and land in a single day. Around 57 individuals have lost their lives, with approximately 60,000 entering Ceuta in recent days, as reported by Juan Jesus Vivas, the leader of the Spanish enclave in North Africa. By 6 p.m. local time on Friday, an estimated 48,300 migrants had voluntarily returned to Morocco, according to Spain’s Interior Ministry.

The sudden surge of individuals into Ceuta, a small Spanish territory protruding into the Mediterranean from Morocco, has caused alarm and division in Europe. France announced heightened border checks with Spain, while Italy threatened to suspend Spain from the European Union’s internal open border scheme.

Moroccan authorities at the gates of Ceuta deployed water cannon trucks to deter people from crossing, resorting to batons and tear gas to push back the crowds attempting to storm the border. The aftermath of clashes included a bus and seven cars in charred conditions. Despite a court ruling imposing restrictions on immediate expulsions from the enclave under special “border rejection” rules, Spanish authorities vowed to expel illegal entrants swiftly.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the mass crossings as a violation of Spain’s territorial sovereignty and urged Morocco to intensify efforts to stem the outflow of people. Ceuta and Melilla, another Spanish autonomous city in northern Morocco, serve as the European Union’s sole land borders with Africa. Both cities, each home to approximately 85,000 residents, frequently witness surges in attempted migrant crossings, but the scale of the recent rush was unprecedented.

Territorial Policy Minister Angel Victor Torres suggested that a recent ruling by Spain’s Supreme Court could have contributed to the surge. The ruling stated that migrants intercepted at sea while trying to reach Ceuta or Melilla cannot be summarily returned under special rules. Migrants often swim from the Moroccan towns of Fnideq or Belyounech to reach Ceuta, with some individuals exploring alternative routes along the coast despite apparent blockades.

Migration remains a contentious issue in Europe, particularly as right-wing parties have gained traction since the 2015 crisis when over a million people traversed the continent seeking asylum, mostly fleeing the Syrian conflict. Various European countries, including France and Italy, have responded to the recent events by increasing border surveillance and considering extraordinary measures to safeguard their borders and citizens.

The European Union’s Schengen Area typically operates with open borders among member states but may introduce temporary checks in exceptional circumstances. Leaders across Europe have expressed their concerns and stances on the situation in Ceuta, emphasizing the need for stringent border control measures. In the U.S., President Donald Trump characterized the events in Ceuta as an “invasion,” warning of similar scenarios if certain political outcomes are not realized.

While Spain’s government maintains a firm stance on illegal crossings, it acknowledges the economic contributions of immigrants, supported by decades of data. The government’s offer of a mass amnesty, resulting in hundreds of thousands seeking citizenship over the past year, reflects its approach to immigration policy amid the ongoing challenges at the border.