Between January and May 2025, nearly 1,900 people died attempting to reach Spain by boat. 52 of these fatalities occurred in the Strait of Gibraltar itself, with others along Atlantic and Algerian routes. Many boats vanished without a trace, revealing serious gaps in rescue operations.
Morocco, in 2024, prevented 78,685 unauthorized migration attempts—an increase of 4.6% over 2023. A total of 18,645 migrants were rescued at sea, and the authorities dismantled 332 human trafficking networks.
Despite cooperation efforts, migration pressure continues to evolve.
Migratory flows across the Strait of Gibraltar remain dangerous and deadly. While overall sea arrivals may have dipped in some areas, the loss of life has not declined significantly, and new, high-risk routes—such as swimming and makeshift rafts—are being exploited.
Ceuta is now overwhelmed, spotlighting urgent humanitarian needs and political tensions. Efforts to coordinate control between Spain and Morocco are ongoing but face complex challenges, including navigating geopolitics, managing reception capacity, and upholding human rights.
Tombs in Tarifa town cemetery, of 13 bodies found washed on the coast, across from Morocco. The victims were believed to be migrants attempting to swim or boat across the Strait of Gibraltar on August 1, 2002.
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