The Fnideq Prefecture Said It Had Blocked the Mass Crossing Attempt by Hundreds of Irregular Migrants Seeking to Reach Ceuta in Spain

Moroccan authorities detained 111 people, including 109 irregular migrants and two Moroccan citizens, as they attempted to cross en masse into Ceuta, the Spanish-administered enclave, officials said Sunday. The Fnideq prefecture said it had blocked the mass crossing attempt by hundreds of irregular migrants seeking to reach Ceuta. The prefecture reported that 111 people were taken into custody and that the situation had returned to "normal.

Morocco had reinforced its security presence in Fnideq in recent days, intensifying search operations and security measures in the town. The measures were taken after authorities detected plans on social media platforms for a mass crossing into Ceuta and Melilla on August 15. More than 70,000 people had swum or walked from the shores of Fnideq to Ceuta since Thursday, July 30. In response to the extraordinary migration toward Ceuta, a long-standing focal point for migrants trying to reach Europe, the Spanish government sent armed forces to the region. Following images broadcast from the city, several European countries argued that Spain should be temporarily removed from the Schengen Area.

Italy's far-right government even suspended its Schengen agreement with Spain for one month. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the reaction of some European Union countries as "selfish, polarizing and illegal. Spain later installed a 500-meter floating barrier in the sea.

On August 4, the Spanish government announced that nearly 70,000 of the 72,000 irregular migrants had returned to Morocco. It was announced that 88 of the migrants had lost their lives. (16/08/2026) — Moroccan authorities detained 109 irregular migrants and two Moroccan citizens attempting to cross en masse into Ceuta.