At least 18 migrants have died while attempting to cross into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco, as thousands made desperate efforts to reach European territory.

Ceuta, an autonomous city of Spain located on the North African coast, witnessed a massive influx of migrants over a 24-hour period.

A police source told AFP on Friday that it was difficult to determine how many migrants successfully crossed overnight, as large numbers continued to arrive.

“There was a steady stream of people all night long,” the source said, adding that although arrivals slowed compared to daytime levels, migrants “continued to arrive overnight and are still arriving” as of Friday morning.

Reports of the crossings began emerging on Wednesday, with many migrants attempting the journey by swimming. On Thursday, video footage showed crowds, mostly Moroccans, moving around breakwaters at Tarajal beach and entering local roads. While many appeared to be young men, families, including women and young children, were also among those attempting the crossing.

According to Rachid Sbihi, head of a local workers’ association representing Civil Guard officers, most of the victims died by drowning, while others were killed in a stampede as they tried to scale the breakwater fence at Tarajal beach.

The cause of the sudden surge remains unclear. However, Spain’s Interior Ministry estimates that approximately 49,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta within 24 hours, arriving by both land and sea.

In response, the Spanish government announced plans to deploy the military to assist the Civil Guard in maintaining security within the city. Images released showed Spanish soldiers patrolling the border area with armoured vehicles.

Prime Minister  is also expected to visit Ceuta alongside Interior Minister  to assess the situation firsthand.