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Spain says nearly all migrants have left Ceuta
Spain says nearly all migrants have left Ceuta
DPAFri, July 31, 2026 at 9:48 PM UTC1 min readAdd Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.- Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares announced that nearly all migrants who arrived in Ceuta have now returned to Morocco, effectively ending the crisis after an influx of at least 50,000 people.
- Albares emphasized that the integrity of the Schengen area was maintained and that it was not possible to reach the Spanish mainland without identification, responding to criticism from other EU member states, including Italy temporarily suspending the Schengen agreement on free movement with Spain.
- EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner confirmed that Albares informed him that practically all migrants who entered Ceuta have returned to Morocco, with no one crossing to the mainland EU, and EU member state experts are set to meet to discuss developments.
Nearly all of the migrants who arrived in Ceuta have now returned to Morocco, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said, declaring the crisis effectively over after an influx of at least 50,000 people.
"Almost all of those who had arrived in Ceuta have since returned to Morocco," Albares wrote on X.
Albares said the integrity of the Schengen area had been maintained and that it was not possible to reach the Spanish mainland without identification, responding to criticism from other EU member states.
AdvertisementAdvertisementHe criticized what he called "interest-driven confusion" surrounding the crisis, without directly naming any particular government. Italy had announced earlier it would temporarily suspend the Schengen agreement on free movement with Spain.
EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner wrote on X that Albares had told him in a phone call that "practically all those who had entered Ceuta have returned ... Not a single person has crossed to mainland EU." He said the two would remain in close contact.
EU member state experts are due to meet on Saturday to discuss developments, a spokesman for the Irish Council Presidency said. A meeting of EU ambassadors is to follow on Monday to assess the situation and facilitate coordination.