Spanish authorities have documented 35 sexual assault cases in the North African enclave of Ceuta in the 45 days since a large-scale migrant influx began in late July, Andalusia’s Senior Prosecutor Ana Tárrago said Monday. The figure amounts to nearly one reported assault per day, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Tárrago, whose jurisdiction covers both Ceuta and Melilla, provided the cumulative tally during the opening of the new legal year in Andalusia. She said her office knew of 16 sexual assault cases by August 27, a number that rose to 23 by August 31 and reached 35 as of September 14. The prosecutor acknowledged that not all sexual aggressions in Ceuta in recent weeks have been reported, suggesting the true number could be higher.
A Crisis in the Enclave
The influx, which began in late July, has left thousands of illegal migrants living on the streets and beaches of the Spanish exclave, according to reports. Hundreds more are sheltered in temporary facilities. Local healthcare workers have issued health warnings, and authorities have reported assaults against law enforcement alongside the sexual violence cases.
Spain’s socialist central government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has resisted framing the arrivals as an invasion. Last week, Sánchez described the migrants as innocent people “seeking a better life.”
Most of the known victims of sexual assault are female migrants who entered Ceuta during the influx, Tárrago said. Forty percent of the victims are minor girls, she added. At least one complainant was identified as a “homosexual male,” though the prosecutor did not disclose further details.
Prosecutor Cites Unsustainable Situation
Tárrago used her Monday remarks to express solidarity with Ceuta, describing what she called a “so difficult, complex and unsustainable situation” the city has faced “for the past month and a half, after the massive irregular entry of immigrants,” according to the Spanish outlet El Español.
“Once again this year, Ceuta — though this summer in an unsustainable manner — is facing a situation that makes decisive intervention by the state and international organizations essential, given the Autonomous City’s limited capacity to accommodate migrants; moreover, it is not the one that should have to bear the burden of a migration crisis that has become a tragedy for everyone,” Tárrago said, as reported by El Español.
El Español also reported that Ceuta’s local judiciary received a “reinforcement” to help manage the surge in sexual abuse investigations. The outlet noted that Spain’s General Council of the Judiciary issued a report warning that Ceuta’s courts are overburdened, particularly its Women’s Violence Court, which is responsible for investigating sexual crimes.
The data adds to an already charged debate over the enclave’s situation. Progressive U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal has previously praised Spain’s handling of the migrant arrivals, a stance that has drawn criticism from those who describe the events as an invasion.
Ongoing Strain on Local Services
The prosecutor’s figures cover only reported cases and come amid broader strain on Ceuta’s institutions. With thousands still present in the city and many lacking permanent shelter, local officials have warned that the exclave’s capacity to accommodate newcomers is severely limited.
The Spanish government has not publicly responded to Tárrago’s specific numbers. The central government has instead emphasized humanitarian obligations and the need for a European-wide response. The prosecutor’s remarks underscore the pressure on both the judicial system and the city’s social services, which have been stretched by the continuing presence of migrants.
Ceuta, a Spanish territory on the North African coast, has long been a focal point for migration from nearby Morocco. The events of late July marked one of the largest sudden arrivals in recent years, prompting the central government to deploy additional resources. Tárrago’s statement that the situation is “unsustainable” reflects concerns raised repeatedly by local officials in recent weeks.
As of Monday, the prosecutor’s office had not indicated whether any of the 35 cases had resulted in charges. The investigation of sexual crimes falls to specialized courts that have now been reinforced. The outcome of those cases, and the broader debate over Spain’s migration policy, is likely to continue drawing national and international attention in the coming weeks.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2026/09/15/ceuta-crisis-almost-one-sexual-assault-per-day-since-invasion-began-prosecutor-says/