Third migrant death reported at Morocco EU border enclave

A third migrant’s body was found near the Morocco-Ceuta fence in the span of two weeks, indicating repeated deadly attempts by migrants to cross into the Spanish enclave, according to Moroccan government-friendly Yabiladi on February 9th.

Ceuta and Melilla are two Spanish territories in North Africa enclosed by border fences in Morocco. They are frequent targets for sub-Saharan Africans and others seeking entry into the EU. Ceuta is located at the Strait of Gibraltar, and Melilla is located 250 kms east of the Mediterranean coast.

Tragic mass attempts have been made by migrants to cross the borders, with the 2022 Melilla border incident killing dozens of migrants, and 70 people, mostly from Sudan and Chad missing. Human rights groups have criticised both Moroccan and Spanish authorities for not fully accounting for all the victims.

The other two migrant bodies found were by Spain’s Civil Guard on January 25th, and another in a valley near the fence, discovered by cyclists. Exposure to harsh conditions like cold weather and difficult terrain while hiding to avoid detection after crossing the border results in these fatalities. Migrants wait for the opportunity to reach the main road and make their way to the temporary migrant reception centre.

Red Cross has reportedly treated several migrants for severe hypothermia, injuries, and fractures. They say that these incidents highlight the most tragic dimension of migration.  

More than 800 migrants are currently housed at Ceuta’s temporary reception centre, amid ongoing efforts to enter the enclave. According to Spain’s Interior Ministry, 426 people reached the city in one month alone, not counting failed attempts.

Hundreds of migrants have attempted to cross into Spain from Morocco recently in 2025, with social media encouraging them to take the journey in mass groups. Migrants, including children, attempted to swim to Ceuta but were intercepted by Spanish maritime and special forces and sent to the Red Cross.

The efforts by Morocco have reportedly reduced migrant arrivals to Spain by 42.6% in 2025, with Spain’s Interior Ministry saying that 36,775 migrants entered the country illegally in 2025, compared to 64,019 in 2024. Morocco, along with other North African states, has signed agreements with the European Union to help deter migrant attempts from their countries.

Yet the migrant crisis continues to persist, with tighter border controls only leading to longer and riskier routes for migrants, resulting in tragedies.

Yabiladi, DW News, Amnesty, Maghrebi.org