Death toll among migrants trying to reach Spain’s Ceuta rises to 94

The number of Moroccans who died while attempting to reach Spain's Ceuta amid the migration crisis has risen to 94, Spanish radio station Cadena SER reports, citing local authorities.

According to the report, a newborn baby was among those found dead. Spain's Justice Ministry officials are currently coordinating efforts to identify the bodies and arrange their subsequent repatriation.

Tens of thousands of mostly Moroccan migrants crossed into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta in late July 2026 by swimming around or climbing a sea breakwater and border barriers, briefly overwhelming the territory of roughly 85,000 residents before the large majority voluntarily returned within days. 

Ceuta and Melilla form the European Union’s only land borders with Africa and have long been migration flashpoints, with prior surges including about 10,000 arrivals in 2021 amid diplomatic tensions. 

By Jeyhun Aghazada