Summary
Between 30 and 31 July 2026, tens of thousands of people entered Ceuta irregularly from Morocco, almost all of them around the El Tarajal breakwater, by swimming or by going around it.1234 There is no official figure.4 The Government has given a range of 70,000 to 80,000, and a police report estimates 75,000 to 85,000.34 The CENIF report speaks of 82 bodies recovered in Spanish waters.5 On 27 October councillors from Ceuta spoke of 90 bodies recovered.6 Europa Press reported it as their testimony before the judge. It does not replace the earlier figures.65
The Government received warnings.78 On 29 July the CNI alerted the Government Delegation and the Civil Guard to calls to enter the following day, and CENIF rated the risk as “extreme”.78 On the afternoon of 30 July the Army deployment was requested, at 20:30 according to Robles, after the CIFAS warning at 13:00 and the Civil Guard warning at 18:15.91011 Afterwards, Robles has said that the CNI gave warning and Marlaska has denied that there was a report that warned of it.12 Sánchez has admitted that the State must improve its anticipation, but maintains that no warning foresaw that scale.1314 The public record does not make it possible to know who decided to reinforce the deployment or when.15
On Morocco, that same day, 30 July, the Interior Ministry stated that it was cooperating “in good faith”.16 At midday, a military report from CIFAS described it as “negligent and passive”.17 A police report sent to the Audiencia Nacional speaks of possible “active guidance” of people toward Ceuta.18 VerificaRTVE has judged a truck video 48 km from the border to be real, the CENIF has included it, and the readings of what the agents were doing do not match.1920 The Audiencia Nacional is investigating, among other offences, crimes against the peace or the independence of the State, and has asked Defence whether Moroccan warships entered Spanish waters.2122 On 10 September the Moroccan Foreign Ministry denied any involvement.23 It refused to be a “scapegoat,” according to EFE.23
On 30 September RTVE counted 8,676 returns to Morocco.24 La Moncloa has spoken of more than 12,700 by 20 October.25 On 27 October Europa Press attributed to Saiz 13,823 returns, 13,215 voluntary and 608 expulsions.26 Europa Press wrote that day that 1,697 asylum files had been formalised, 853 decided and 704 decided unfavourably.27 ABC wrote that the police estimated at least 17,000 minors and that the Government put those in care at the start of September at 1,478.28 On 23 October RTVE counted 3,434 registered minors, 114 transfers to the mainland and 63 files sent to Morocco.29 On 27 October Saiz gave 3,560 in care, 125 reunifications, 181 relocated to other regions and 87 files sent to Morocco.30 They are figures from different sources and have not been merged.2930 Miguel Ángel Pérez Triano resigned on 28 September.31 On 30 September the official gazette published his removal and the appointment of Javier David de la Encina Ortega.31 On 31 August Italy extended the controls by 15 days.32 Spain and Italy agreed to end them on 22 October.33 The official gazette published a royal decree-law of support for Ceuta approved on 1 September. La Moncloa put the plan at €309 million for 2026.34 On 13 October another royal decree-law approved aid that the Treasury puts at €45.3 million.35 Antena 3 wrote that the CNI delivered to the judge a report without new documents.36 20minutos wrote that the judge requested the minutes of the meetings of 27, 28 and 30 July.37 On 27 October Europa Press reported school attendance of around 90 percent.38 Europa Press counted that day 5,237 personnel deployed and 7,477 places in temporary state facilities.39
Updated October 29, 2026. Each datum refers to its entry in the chronology.
