Spanish authorities confirmed the death of a second migrant attempting to paraglide into the North African Spanish territory of Ceuta from Morocco on Friday, as officials warn of evolving smuggling tactics.
Spanish Civil Guard reports second fatal paragliding attempt
Spanish police and maritime authorities recovered the body of a sub-Saharan migrant near Ceuta’s Benzu viewpoint on Friday morning after he lost control of his paraglider and fell into the Mediterranean Sea. The Civil Guard stated the man had "jumped off a mountain and fell into the sea" before being retrieved by maritime police, who pronounced him dead on arrival. A second migrant was reported missing after a separate paragliding attempt on Saturday evening, prompting an ongoing search operation.
Authorities warn of risky new smuggling routes
Spanish Civil Guard union spokesman Diego Madrazo highlighted concerns over inadequate training provided by smugglers facilitating the aerial crossings. "They have no flight training, sometimes they are given a course lasting barely a few minutes before taking off," Madrazo said. Authorities previously dismantled a smuggling gang in Morocco that had trained migrants in paragliding techniques, indicating an adaptive shift in smuggling methods following increased border controls.
Context: Surge in migration and evolving border challenges
The incidents follow a mass border breach at the end of July, when an estimated 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta within 48 hours, overwhelming local infrastructure. At least 83 deaths were reported during the surge, including drownings and a stampede at the Tarajal beach fence. The rapid influx triggered a political and logistical crisis, renewing debates over the European Union’s migration policies and border enforcement.
EU and international responses
The European Commission described the situation as a "stress test" for the EU’s new Pact on Migration and Asylum, which aims to streamline border management and asylum procedures across member states. However, criticism has emerged from several EU capitals. A letter signed by 22 member states, led by Denmark and Italy, accused Spain of enacting policies that acted as a "pull factor" for undocumented migration, calling for stronger coordinated border measures. The U.S. State Department also weighed in, claiming Spain had "enabled and facilitated mass illegal migration into Europe."
Ongoing search and humanitarian response
Spanish authorities continue searching for the missing migrant from Saturday’s paragliding attempt, while humanitarian organizations including the Red Cross maintain aid distribution in Ceuta. The Spanish government has not yet commented on potential policy changes in response to the new smuggling tactics, though officials have emphasized the need for enhanced aerial surveillance along the border with Morocco.