This is the moment thousands of Moroccans breached the border with Spain on Thursday morning.
The chaotic scenes were filmed at the barrier separating Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa.
Witnesses said thousands of youths headed towards the frontier from the Moroccan town of Castillejos (Fnideq), with many arriving by car and motorcycle before rushing the border.
According to local newspaper El Faro de Ceuta, most of those entering Ceuta did not cross through the official Tarajal border crossing.
Instead, they swam around or climbed over the Tarajal breakwater, before entering the enclave via a nearby access point.
The report said entire families were among those entering, including parents carrying or leading young children by the hand.
Hundreds climbed over the protective fencing at a time when no police officers were guarding it, while members of Morocco’s auxiliary security forces reportedly withdrew as the crowd advanced.
The reason for the sudden mass gathering remains unclear, although it coincided with Morocco’s Throne Day celebrations.
The incident comes as Ceuta continues to face mounting migration pressure after hundreds of people swam to the Spanish enclave in recent days, stretching the city’s reception and humanitarian services.
Spain rejects call for national emergency
Spain’s Ministry of the Interior has rejected a request from the Ceuta regional government to declare a national emergency over the migration crisis, saying the legal mechanism is reserved for natural disasters and technological emergencies such as wildfires, earthquakes, floods or nuclear incidents.
However, the ministry said the government is reinforcing resources and personnel to maintain security, manage migration and provide humanitarian assistance while ensuring ‘no human life is put at risk at sea.’
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska spoke with Ceuta president Juan Jesus Vivas on Thursday and is due to visit the enclave on Friday to assess the situation and meet local authorities, as well as senior officers from the National Police and Guardia Civil.
Morocco ‘cooperating closely’
The Spanish government said Morocco continues to cooperate closely with Spain in managing the crisis, adding that Moroccan security forces have prevented numerous attempts to reach Ceuta in recent days.
Officials also said Spain’s Secretary of State for Security, Aina Calvo, has remained in constant contact with authorities in Ceuta, while other government departments continue coordinating the humanitarian response, including support for unaccompanied migrant children arriving in the enclave.
The latest incident underscores the continuing migration pressure on Spain’s North African border, despite ongoing cooperation between Madrid and Rabat to curb irregular crossings.
