BARCELONA, Spain — Authorities in Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on Morocco’s northern coast, are confronting an unusual surge in migrants swimming across from Morocco, overwhelming border security and local reception facilities. Over the past several days, more than 1,500 migrants, including both adults and minors, have crossed into Ceuta by sea, according to Juan Jesús Vivas, the head of Ceuta’s government.

The enclave’s reception centers have become saturated, with hundreds of migrants now sleeping outside due to lack of space. Rescue teams, including Spain’s Civil Guard, maritime rescue services, and the Red Cross, have been using boats to recover swimmers and transport them to Ceuta. The majority of migrants attempting the crossing are reported to be Moroccan nationals, alongside a smaller number of Algerians who had been residing in Morocco while seeking entry into Europe.

Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska described the situation as “an extraordinary, exceptional situation,” noting that authorities are managing it with existing resources deployed in the area. He also praised the cooperation of Moroccan authorities, highlighting a close and loyal working relationship aimed at limiting irregular departures.

The recent increase in crossings is unusual for this time of year, even though seasonal migration surges often occur during summer months due to favorable weather conditions. The underlying causes prompting the latest influx remain unclear. Vivas expressed concern over a recent Spanish high court ruling that migrants arriving by sea cannot be pushed back without due process, in contrast to those crossing land borders, suggesting this legal change may be influencing migration patterns. However, some human rights activists, including Omar Naji, president of the Moroccan Association of Human Rights in Eastern Morocco, questioned whether the ruling directly impacted the surge, noting that many migrants might be unaware of such judicial decisions.

Observers have drawn parallels to a border crisis in May 2021, when more than 8,000 migrants entered Ceuta within two days. At that time, Morocco was accused of relaxing border controls following Spain’s decision to admit Brahim Ghali, leader of the Polisario Front, for medical treatment. This action sparked a diplomatic dispute between Rabat and Madrid. The Polisario Front seeks independence for Western Sahara and represents the Sahrawi people in the ongoing territorial dispute over the region.

Spain’s interior ministry has so far declined to confirm exact figures on the number of arrivals by sea, directing inquiries to its forthcoming bimonthly migration report scheduled for release on August 3. Meanwhile, local authorities in Ceuta continue to cope with the humanitarian and logistical challenges presented by the sustained influx of migrants.