Ceuta Mayor Reports 100 Dead in Massive Migrant Breach

Ceuta Mayor Juan Jesús Vivas reported Thursday that approximately 100 people died during a mass migrant border breach on July 30 and 31. Testifying before the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, Vivas characterized the event as an "invasion," stating that 80,000 people entered the city by sea, effectively doubling its population.

Vivas described a humanitarian emergency compounded by public order disturbances and safety risks. While most migrants returned to Morocco, between 3,000 and 5,000 remain in overwhelmed reception centers. Vivas demanded the immediate expulsion of these irregular Moroccan migrants, asserting that the border is "porous and vulnerable." He further claimed that Moroccan authorities refused to engage and that Spanish ministries had been warned of rising arrival flows before the surge.

EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner responded by stating the crisis exposed the European Union's vulnerability when border control depends on the goodwill of neighboring states. The European Commission is now coordinating with Spain and other member states to revise migration policies and strengthen external border management. The Government of Spain declined an invitation to attend the parliamentary session.