On Wednesday morning, Civil Guard officers discovered the body of a young man on Desnarigado beach in Ceuta. He was wearing a wetsuit and fins, with sneakers strapped to his shoulders. Preliminary reports suggest the deceased was trying to swim from Morocco to Spanish territory, choosing one of the longest and most dangerous routes.
Desnarigado beach is located in the Achó mountain area, opposite Gibraltar. This spot is often reached by those who attempt long and risky swims to avoid heightened border control. If swimmers fail to reach the shore, the current can carry them towards the Strait of Gibraltar, greatly increasing the risk of death.
With this tragedy, Ceuta has recorded 21 fatal incidents related to attempted sea crossings since the start of the year. In August alone, four similar cases were documented. The summer period traditionally sees an increase in attempts to cross illegally, especially at night and during heavy fog.
Last week, Spanish and Moroccan authorities jointly prevented a mass sea crossing attempt by about 300 people. Afterwards, a shift in wind direction temporarily reduced the flow of migrants. However, calm weather and clear visibility have again led to tragedy.
The body of the deceased, believed to be from a Maghreb country, was recovered from the water by the diving unit of the Guardia Civil. Personal belongings were found with him, but final identification will only be possible after the autopsy.
Two days ago, another deceased man was found 500 meters from Juan XXIII beach. Migrants typically use fins, inflatable rings, and wetsuits to cross the sea, while the distance between entry and exit points along the coast ranges from three to eight kilometers.
Since the border closed due to the pandemic, there has been an increase in attempts to cross the sea bypassing official checkpoints. The main routes run through the southern part of the city, near Tarajal, and the northern part, near Bensu. In recent weeks, new methods have also been noted—using jet skis rented in Morocco, which are abandoned on the shore upon arrival. Since 2023, the use of such vehicles has been restricted: they are prohibited from going more than two miles from shore and from leaving Spanish territorial waters.
According to Guardia Civil estimates, about 80% of all illegal crossings in Ceuta occur by sea, while the remaining 20% are carried out by overcoming the border fence.
Last year, the authorities of Ceuta appealed to the Spanish government for support, as they were unable to cope with the influx of underage migrants from Morocco for whom the city is responsible. In 2025, the situation remains tense: temporary shelters for children and the Migrant Reception Center (CETI) are operating over capacity.
Civil Guard officers, especially those involved in maritime operations, report that the workload increases in summer, but during the colder months the risk to migrants’ lives only rises.
From January to mid-August 2025, 1,725 people arrived in Ceuta, a 7.2% increase compared to the same period last year. In the past two weeks, 269 people crossed the border, and in July—474. In 2024, during the same period, the growth rate was significantly higher—143%.
