# The day 60,000 migrants swept their way into Europe as wave after wave of predominantly young men storm Spanish island

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-day-60000-migrants-swept-their-way-into-europe-as-wave-after-wave-of-predominantly-young-men-storm-spanish-island/
- Published: 2026-07-31T23:57:15+00:00
- Updated: 2026-08-26T03:06:18+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16020855/The-day-60-000-migrants-swept-way-Europe-storm-Spanish-island.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Europe, World

## Key points

- Over 60,000 migrants crossed into Spain's Ceuta enclave from Morocco this week
- Clashes, fires and 57 reported deaths accompanied the unprecedented surge
- Italy suspended Schengen ties with Spain; other EU states weighing similar action

## Summary

Tens of thousands of migrants entered Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco this week, with more than 60,000 people reported to have crossed by swimming, climbing fences or rushing the border in a surge that began on Thursday. The influx overwhelmed the small territory, home to around 84,000 people, prompting unrest, clashes with security forces and reports of 57 deaths, and has raised diplomatic tensions within the EU, with Italy suspending Schengen free-movement arrangements with Spain and several other countries considering similar steps.

Journalists reported migrants arriving at a rate of roughly 200 a minute, with crowds also breaching the border at Melilla, Ceuta's sister enclave 140 miles away. Spanish soldiers used tear gas while Moroccan forces deployed water cannon, but vehicles were burnt and clashes broke out on the streets. Local residents described chaotic and unsanitary conditions and accused the Madrid government of abandoning them, while Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez blamed trafficking gangs for organising the crossings; anti-migrant protests also took place in Madrid. Some observers suggested Morocco may have allowed the surge to pressure Spain over the disputed status of Ceuta.

## Coverage

- [Daily Mail: The day 60,000 migrants swept their way into Europe as wave after wave of predominantly young men storm Spanish island](https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16020855/The-day-60-000-migrants-swept-way-Europe-storm-Spanish-island.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490)
- [Daily Mail: Stop Spanish migrant wave reaching UK: Now France tightens its border controls with Spain after 60,000 dramatically enter EU in on DAY](https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16020815/Stop-Spanish-migrant-wave-reaching-UK-France-tightens-border-controls-Spain-60-000-dramatically-enter-EU-DAY.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.