Ursula von der Leyen says she “offered support to Spain from the first moment” amid Ceuta crisis

After a deadly surge of migrants into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta—where at least 72 people died and tens of thousands crossed from Morocco—European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she had offered Spain help immediately and noted that no one who entered advanced to mainland Europe. In a social media statement, she acknowledged most of the arrivals had been sent back to Morocco and argued that the EU’s border system still needed strengthening and a coordinated, united response. Her remarks came as Spain reinforced patrols and installed a floating barrier, while EU interior ministers prepared for emergency talks Tuesday. Spanish right-wing politicians blamed the government for the chaos, and local officials said Ceuta remained tense even as crossings stopped and most migrants departed.