Migrant crisis in Spain latest updates: Thousands heading back voluntarily

Around 60,000 people were estimated to have crossed into Ceuta in the past few days, the leader of the Spanish enclave in North Africa, Juan Jesus Vivas, told reporters on Friday, more than half of Ceuta's population. After hours of efforts, Spain said it had reversed the huge rush of migrants into the Spanish enclave in North Africa, with thousands of people who had crossed the border by land and sea already heading back voluntarily. --- Latest updates here: Thousands heading back voluntarily Moroccan forces beat back crowds with batons and tear gas at the gates to Ceuta, trying to prevent more from storming across into the tiny Spanish territory that juts on a spit of sandy land into the Mediterranean from Morocco. Spain's Interior Ministry said around 50,000 people had crossed the border since Thursday morning, and estimated that around 25,000 had already turned and gone back. The mass storm of the border caused division in Europe, where leaders of fellow EU states called for Spain to ensure that the incident was contained. Right-wing parties around the continent blamed the incident on Spain's comparatively lax migration policies, including an amnesty granted to hundreds of thousands of unauthorised migrants this year. Spanish military vehicles lined up along sections of the border as dozens of migrants watched from a hilltop in Morocco, unable to cross. People seen returning to Morocco Several hundred people could be seen returning to Morocco through border posts and holes in the fence, with some saying they could not find food or shelter in Ceuta. "Honestly, I don't even know why I came, and now I'm going back," a young Moroccan man, who said he was from Tangier, told Reuters. "I haven't eaten since lunch yesterday, even though I brought some money with me ... What we're doing is neither good nor enjoyable." Spain says 25,000 migrants voluntarily returned to Morocco An estimated more than 25,000 migrants have voluntarily returned to Morocco from the Spanish enclave of Ceuta so far on Friday after some 50,000 rushed into the tiny territory in North Africa starting in the early hours on Thursday, according to Spain's Interior Ministry. At least 34 people have died in Spain's border crisis At least 34 people have died in Spain's border crisis with Morocco, Ceuta President Juan Jesús Vivas said. Migrants from Morocco arrive at the Spanish border, in Ceuta, Spain, July 31, 2026, as migrants cross into Ceuta by sea and land. (Reuters) UK PM says Spain migrant crossings are 'concerning' British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Friday the situation where migrants had flooded into a Spainish enclave in North Africa was "concerning", and his government had contacted Madrid to understand the implications and provide support. "It's a concerning situation, and I know people will see those scenes and want something to be done," Burnham told reporters. "We are making contact with the Spanish government, the Spanish authorities, to provide support, but also to understand the implications of that situation." Britain has for years been trying to deter illegal migrants from coming to its shores. About 41,000 people arrived in small boats on the south coast of England in 2025. 'Violation' of Spain's territorial sovereignty: PM The mass crossings of tens of thousands of people from Morocco into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta was a "violation of Spain's territorial sovereignty," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told reporters on Friday. Migrants gather as they wait for a chance to cross to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, on the Moroccan side of the border in Fnideq, Morocco, July 31, 2026. (Reuters) Germany welcomes Spain's intention not to allow illegal migrants in German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Friday he welcomed Spain's intention not to allow illegal migrants onto the European mainland. The German government was in contact with the Spanish one on the matter, he said. France ready to help out Spain France is in touch with Spanish and Moroccan authorities over the huge numbers of migrants who crossed over from Morocco into Ceuta, French President Emmanuel Macron's entourage said on Friday. France stands ready to help out Spain if necessary, including via the European border and cost guards agency Frontex, they said, adding Macron asked Interior Minister Laurent Nunez to beef up checks at the borders with Spain. Spain, Morocco try to halt deadly rush on Spanish enclave A migrant holds an inflatable ring while in the water, amid mass crossings of migrants on foot and by sea from Morocco into Spanish territory in Ceuta, Spain, July 31, 2026. (Reuters) Spain and Morocco reinforced the border fence of a Spanish enclave on Friday and appeared to have largely halted mass crossings after tens of thousands of people arrived by sea and land in a day, with at least 19 dead bodies found in the water. The Spanish Department of