Rabat – Over 800 irregular migrants attempted to swim to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, with Moroccan patrol boats intercepting most of the attempts on Wednesday.
Spanish news agency EFE identified the irregular migrants as Moroccan and Algerian nationals, with Spain’s Maritime Rescue Service rescuing over 300 people.
However, two bodies were recovered at sea.
“The migrants set out from Castillejos, the Moroccan coastline closest to Ceuta, in an attempt to swim to the Spanish city’s shore,” EFE reported today, saying that most of the migrants are aged between 18 and 30.
Many minors were among those who attempted the crossing, with Morocco deploying three maritime units to help rescue the remaining migrants who were unable to reach the enclave.
Several videos and photos document the irregular migration attempts, with some people preparing to swim and others celebrating their arrival in the Spanish enclave.
The government of the Spanish enclave described the recent wave of entry as an “extremely serious” situation, stating that more than 1,100 migrants entered the enclave in just over a week.
Ceuta government spokesperson Alejandro Ramírez said the situation requires an “extraordinary and immediate response” from the Spanish state, describing it as a migration crisis.
Spain sees Morocco as a key partner in addressing migration challenges.
Morocco intercepted 73,640 irregular migration attempts in 2025, a 6.4% decline from the previous year.
This comes as tightened border controls pushed migrant flows toward alternative routes across West Africa and the southern Mediterranean.
Authorities dismantled more than 300 smuggling networks during the year, the Interior Ministry said.
