Morocco Detains Dozens of Migrants in Ceuta Crossing Attempt

Sun Sep 06 2026 01:51:14 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Dozens of migrants were detained by Moroccan forces near the Ceuta border after a mass crossing attempt, sparking heightened security measures and EU tensions.

Morrocan security forces stopped a large group of migrants heading for the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, detaining 111 people and using tear gas to disperse crowds. The operation followed a record wave of sea arrivals that left 100 dead. Spain added 1,500 officers, a metal fence and floating barriers to the crossing point. The incident has reignited tension in the EU, prompting Italy to suspend its Schengen arrangement with Spain and the Czech Republic to call for a review of Spain’s membership. Moroccan officials say they will prosecute organizers and participants.

Moroccan authorities intercepted a large group of migrants attempting to cross into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta on Saturday.

According to Moroccan security sources cited by Spanish media and Reuters, more than 100 people were blocked near the outskirts of Fnideq – known in Spanish as Castillejos – a kilometre‑and‑a‑half from the border.

The 111 detainees were largely from sub‑Saharan Africa. Moroccan police, some wearing riot gear, reportedly used tear gas to disperse several groups of migrants gathered on surrounding hills.

The event comes a fortnight after a massive influx of 78,000 migrants reached Ceuta by sea in a matter of hours – 100 of whom died, according to the city’s mayor.

In response, Spanish and Moroccan officials have stepped up security. The Spanish government deployed more than 1,500 officers to patrol the area and installed a metal fence and a floating barrier on the breakwater entrance, a security measure said to be “10 times stronger than the previous day.”

Rabat warned it would prosecute organisers and participants of the crossing after monitoring social‑media posts calling for a mass attempt on Saturday.

The crisis has also stirred tensions between EU members. Italy suspended its Schengen arrangement with Spain, a move supported by Finland and Denmark, while the Czech Republic called for Spain’s temporary suspension from the Schengen area, despite Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stating that Ceuta is not part of that zone.