Authorities in Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta have raised the alarm after thousands of migrants crossed the border from neighboring Morocco over the past 10 days, prompting calls for additional security measures and humanitarian support.
The regional government estimated that between 1,500 and 2,000 migrants entered Ceuta during that period, with hundreds more arriving on Thursday.
Spain's Interior Ministry rejected calls to declare a national emergency, saying the legal framework does not apply to migration crises, but pledged additional resources while coordinating with Morocco.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska is expected to visit Ceuta to assess the situation.
Video footage showed hundreds of migrants entering Ceuta by sea using inflatable inner tubes and other flotation devices, while others crossed by land after breaching fencing or scaling barriers.
Authorities said police were overwhelmed at the Tarajal breakwater as large groups entered the enclave.
Some migrants were heard shouting "Viva Espana!" as they crossed into Spanish territory.
Officials and migrant rights activists said the situation resembled the mass crossings of May 2021, when around 10,000 people entered Ceuta within days.
Migrant rights activist Zakaria Zarroqui said the situation remained "out of control" as people continued gathering in the Moroccan city of Fnideq in attempts to reach the enclave.
Ceuta and the nearby Spanish enclave of Melilla form the European Union's only land border with Africa and periodically experience surges in irregular migration.
Ceuta regional president Juan Jesus Vivas declared an "absolute humanitarian and social emergency" and urged Madrid to deploy the army and reinforce border security.
Spain's Defence Ministry said there were no immediate plans for a military deployment.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said his government was "fully focused" on delivering an immediate response and preparing measures to restore normality.
The Interior Ministry said it was working closely with Morocco, blaming people-smuggling networks for exploiting a recent Supreme Court ruling that prevents migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to reach Ceuta or Melilla from being summarily returned to Morocco.
The ministry also said it intended to immediately deport those entering illegally.
Local businesses reported heightened tensions, with some closing temporarily amid concerns that police resources would be insufficient, while refugee organizations said the Spanish state had the capacity to process those seeking asylum despite the chaotic conditions.