On July 26, 2025, over 80 migrants, including at least 54 children, swam from Morocco to Ceuta, a Spanish enclave, despite rough seas and fog.

The majority of the children involved in the crossing were Moroccan and were subsequently taken to temporary centers in Ceuta, prompting local authorities to request assistance from the central government.

Ceuta and Melilla are Spain's only land borders with Africa, often witnessing attempts by migrants to reach Europe, with Moroccan nationals typically returned unless they are minors or seeking asylum.

Individuals from other nationalities are housed in special centers for a few days before being released.

Spanish television reported that Civil Guard launches were engaged in rescue attempts for some of the swimmers, while others successfully reached the enclave.

Juan Rivas, a representative of the Ceuta regional government, emphasized the urgent need for state intervention, stating, 'Don't leave us alone. This is a matter of state. This has to be resolved.'

This incident follows a pattern of crossings to Ceuta, with previous waves of migrants taking advantage of similar weather conditions, including a notable event on August 26, 2024.

The region has a history of dangerous crossings, including a tragic incident three years ago when 23 people died during a stampede as around 2,000 migrants attempted to storm the border into Melilla.

The crossing from Morocco to Ceuta is approximately 14 kilometers, although adverse currents can increase this distance to 17 kilometers.

Cidadãos marroquinos detidos durante as travessias são enviados de volta imediatamente, exceto menores de idade ou aqueles que solicitam asilo, enquanto migrantes de outras nacionalidades são geralmente encaminhados para centros de abrigo.

In 2021, a child was seen using plastic bottles to float during an attempt to reach Ceuta, highlighting the dangers of this journey.

These enclaves frequently encounter attempts by migrants to cross into Europe, leading to varied responses based on nationality.