The young migrant claimed they were 'just chilling' after crossing into Ceuta.

08:08, Sun, Aug 2, 2026 Updated: 08:14, Sun, Aug 2, 2026

Migrants cross border Ceuta

Some 60,000 migrants from Morocco stormed the border into Ceuta earlier this week (Image: Getty)

A migrant who was among the tens of thousands to breach the border of Spanish enclave Ceuta said he was there “for fun”. Around 60,000 migrants from Morocco crossed into the Spanish city in North Africa between Thursday and Friday morning in chaotic scenes, which sparked a humanitarian crisis and tensions with other EU countries.

Local officials said 86 people died in the border surge, although that figure is expected to rise as specialist divers search the coastline. The Madrid government on Saturday said nearly all migrants who had crossed into Ceuta have since returned to Morocco. Many who made the journey said they had hoped to find better work opportunities in Spain, but were heading back due to the mayhem in Ceuta.

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Spain Deploys Troops In Response To Border Breach In Ceuta

Spain has deployed troops to Ceuta following the surge in crossings (Image: Getty)

However, in an interview with GB News, one young migrant said: “I don't want anything from here... Just for fun.”

The reporter responded, saying: “That's all... You don't want to stay in the EU?”

The migrant replied: “I don't want anything from this place. I am just chilling. I just go here for fun (sic).”

On Saturday, Spain installed a 500-metre-long barrier along its sea border between Ceuta and Morocco. Most who arrived in Ceuta during the surge came by sea.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the incident as “a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity”.

He also hit out at the “selfish, polarising and unlawful reaction” from some EU members to the influx.

Italy temporarily suspended its open-border Schengen agreement with Spain, reimposing border controls for air and sea.

PM Giorgia Meloni said the scenes were “shocking” and warned “uncontrolled illegal migration poses a concrete threat to the security of Europe’s borders”.

France also tightened up its border checks with Spain.

EU ministers will hold emergency talks on Tuesday after 22 member states signed a joint letter calling for a coordinated response to the situation in Ceuta.

Authorities in the territory and Madrid have linked the border surge to a recent decision by the Spanish Supreme Court, which ruled that migrants arriving by sea could not be summarily deported, unlike those who cross by land or climb the border fence.

Mr Sánchez said migrant smugglers misinterpreted the ruling.

Spain has deployed its armed forces and additional police to Ceuta following the surge in crossings.