More than 70,000 migrants entered Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on 30 and 31 July 2026 in an unprecedented and deadly rush, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez now says Morocco's border control "failed" during those two days.

Sánchez made the remarks in English during a CNN interview in New York on Tuesday, 23 September, nearly two months after the mass crossing. His comment marks the sharpest public criticism yet by Madrid of Rabat's handling of the border.

What did the prime minister say?

"We are investigating what happened in those days back in July but at the same time we have asked Morocco for actions and also for answers because it is also clear that its border control failed," Sánchez told CNN.

The statement goes slightly further than his earlier position. Speaking in parliament on 3 September, Sánchez said Madrid needed to ask the Moroccan authorities for "explanations and changes" to prevent a repeat of the influx. At the same time, he stressed there was no "solid proof" that Morocco had deliberately orchestrated the surge.

What does the Spanish police report show?

A Spanish police report seen by AFP adds weight to the accusation. It found that:

• the number of Moroccan police officers around the border crossing was "clearly smaller than usual";
• officers "made no serious attempt" to stop the surge.

The report drew on satellite images, open-source videos and testimonies from migrants who crossed.

Who is affected now?

Most of the more than 70,000 migrants returned to Morocco within hours of the crossing. Several thousand, however, stayed in Ceuta, and conditions in the enclave have deteriorated since. The territory has seen episodes of violence and almost daily demonstrations by local residents.

The Spanish government now faces the task of identifying each remaining migrant to determine whether they qualify for asylum. Unaccompanied children cannot be summarily deported, which limits how quickly Madrid can reduce numbers in the enclave.

Why does it matter?

The episode tests one of Europe's most sensitive external border partnerships. Spain relies on Moroccan cooperation to manage migration across the Strait of Gibraltar and at the Ceuta and Melilla enclaves, and the police findings put pressure on Rabat at a moment when Madrid is demanding both answers and operational changes. Sánchez has not accused Morocco of intentional orchestration, but his government continues to investigate the events of 30–31 July.

This news summary is based on reporting by AFP and Rapporteur published on 23 September 2026. Official statements by the Spanish government and the Spanish police report remain the primary sources for the ongoing investigation.