The Moroccan Navy foiled a mass attempt to reach the city of Ceuta early Sunday after intercepting dozens of migrants who tried to swim to the enclave from the Moroccan coasts of Fnideq and Belyounech, taking advantage of calm seas and favorable weather conditions.
According to information released by Spanish authorities, around 50 migrants, most of them young Moroccans, entered the water in an attempt to reach Ceuta via the maritime route, which typically sees a surge in crossing attempts during the summer months.
The same sources said Moroccan authorities quickly deployed several patrol boats to intercept the swimmers before they reached the maritime border with Ceuta, successfully preventing the vast majority of the attempted crossing. However, at least six migrants managed to evade interception and reach the occupied city, where they were received by Spain's Civil Guard and processed under standard procedures.
Spanish media, citing authorities in Ceuta, reported that attempts to swim to the enclave from neighboring Moroccan beaches have become increasingly common during the summer, as migrants take advantage of calmer seas to make the dangerous journey.
The reports added that many migrants rely on wetsuits or even ordinary swimwear to undertake the crossing, which can last for more than an hour, in an effort to avoid heavily monitored land border crossings. Spanish authorities have reported a sharp increase in attempts to enter Ceuta since the beginning of the year.
According to the latest figures from Spain's Interior Ministry, Ceuta recorded 2,582 entries between January and June 2026 through land routes, a category that also includes migrants who reach the enclave by swimming. The figure represents a 164% increase compared with the 978 entries recorded during the same period in 2025, placing Ceuta at the center of migratory pressure in Spain.
Moroccan authorities have continued to strengthen surveillance along the country's northern coastline and intensify efforts to prevent irregular migration toward the occupied enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, as part of ongoing security cooperation with Spain and the European Union to combat migrant smuggling and human trafficking networks.
