Melilla contained a surge in migrant pressure at its closed border. Authorities confirmed that 130 people, including 84 minors, entered the city after a night of heightened tension and repeated attempts to breach the perimeter. Government Delegate Sabrina Moh said images of chaotic crossings in Ceuta circulated widely, prompting groups in Melilla to attempt similar actions. The episode unfolded amid broader regional pressure: Associated Press reporting described a mass crossing from Morocco into Ceuta on 30 July 2026, while preliminary Frontex data recorded about 18,300 irregular crossings on the Western Mediterranean route between January and September, up 26% year on year.
Despite the closure of the border at Beni Enzar and a impressive police deployment, coordinated entry attempts took place at multiple points. These included the old Barrio Chino and Farhana crossings. There were also attempts by sea at the southern breakwater. Moh described the night as “complex,” with groups of 200 to 300 migrants repeatedly dispersing and regrouping to try new entry points. The exact number of people who attempted to cross remains unclear, but estimates suggest it could have exceeded 1,000 or even 2,000.
All 130 migrants who entered Melilla remain in the city. Local authorities are caring for the minors, while police identify the adults. The Temporary Stay Centre for Immigrants (CETI) has activated its contingency plan. Officials say it currently has sufficient capacity to handle the arrivals. The immediate figure of 130 is separate from the Interior Ministry’s cumulative tally: by 15 October, the ministry had recorded 701 land entries into Melilla in 2026, compared with 260 over the same period in 2025, an increase of 441, or 169.6%. The tally also recorded 23 maritime arrivals, down from 25 a year earlier.
The ministry’s cumulative figures exclude entries recorded on 30 and 31 July, which were being processed separately. The 701 land entries so do not represent a complete count of every entry during 2026. Nor should the incident-level figure of 130 be added directly to the cumulative total without accounting for that distinction. Frontex’s preliminary route figures also excluded the large Ceuta crossings on those dates while Spanish data remained under review. Across the Western Mediterranean route, which covers mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands, Ceuta and Melilla, Frontex reported that land-border detections more than doubled, while maritime arrivals rose by about 8%.
On the Moroccan side, the Asociación Marroquí de Derechos Humanos (AMDH Nador) reported a sharp escalation in violence. Security forces used riot-control equipment, including rubber bullets and tear gas. Numerous injuries were recorded among migrants and officers, with several people requiring hospital treatment at El Hassani. Three police vehicles were set on fire during the clashes, and at least 100 people were returned to Morocco overnight. Authorities documented and publicized the returns.
The confrontations began at Beni Enzar and later spread to Farkhana. They also reached Barrio Chino, despite a heavy Moroccan security presence. AMDH Nador said the response in Melilla differed from previous incidents at Fnideq (Castillejos, on the Ceuta border) and expressed concern over the severity of force used against vulnerable individuals. Moroccan authorities consider the situation under control for now, but a lawyers’ strike in Morocco could hinder legal assistance for detainees.
Medical services in Melilla treated 60 people for injuries, mainly fractures and open wounds. Three required hospital admission. Among the injured were three officers, two from the National Police and one from the Guardia Civil. Most injuries were attributed to falls during the crossing or alleged aggression by security forces. Many patients suffered abrasions and cuts requiring urgent care, while some cases were still awaiting diagnosis or treatment by midday.
Authorities have not ruled out further attempts to cross the border in the coming nights, but say they are prepared to respond. Sabrina Moh urged residents to remain calm and warned against misinformation and false videos circulating on social media. She also denied claims that 400 migrants entered the city overnight, disputing statements by Melilla’s president, Juan José Imbroda, that had caused impressive public concern.
Melilla, along with Ceuta, is one of the European Union’s only land borders with Africa, making it a frequent focal point for migration attempts. The July crisis in Ceuta also created a longer-term administrative burden: by October, 262 minors had been transferred to mainland Spain, while authorities pursued voluntary returns for some adults. The city’s border infrastructure and response protocols have been repeatedly tested in recent years, as Spanish and Moroccan authorities balance humanitarian obligations with security concerns amid migration pressure across the region.
