Spain has mobilized its military as thousands of migrants, many of them teenagers, have crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The arrivals, numbering in the thousands, have overwhelmed local authorities and strained resources on the six-mile-long peninsula.

Moroccan authorities have reportedly been overwhelmed by the scale of the crossings, which occurred over two days. Videos circulating online showed a chaotic scene with migrants, many appearing to be very young, scaling fences and swimming ashore. The situation has led to significant political tensions within Spain, with government officials expressing concern over border security and humanitarian issues.

The surge in arrivals highlights the ongoing challenges of irregular migration routes into Europe. Ceuta, along with the nearby Spanish territory of Melilla, are the only European land borders on the African continent. Spain has deployed additional police and military personnel to manage the situation. The government has also initiated procedures to return many of the migrants to Morocco.