HIBAPRESS – Mohammed Zerouih
The latest figures released by the Spanish Ministry of the Interior have revealed a significant shift in the trajectory of irregular immigration in the occupied city of Melilla, as the number of arrivals increased to 724 people during the period from January 1st to October 15th, 2026, compared to 285 cases during the same period last year, according to the newspaper "El Faro de Melilla".
The data highlights that land borders have become the main driver of this increase, with over 700 cases of entry through them, compared to just 260 cases during the corresponding period in 2025, marking an increase of approximately 170 percent. These operations are linked to attempts to breach the border fence or to the use of land crossings and routes leading to the city.
In contrast, maritime routes have not experienced the same upward trend, with the number of migrants arriving by sea declining by 8 percent, settling at around 23 individuals who arrived on five boats, compared to 25 individuals during the same period last year.
While occupied Melilla faces a surge in irregular crossing numbers, Spain as a whole is recording a decrease in this phenomenon, with the number of entry cases into its various territories falling by about 6 percent, registering over 27,200 cases, which is a decrease of more than 1,690 cases compared to the same period in 2025.
Despite the recorded increase, occupied Melilla remains the lowest among Spanish regions in terms of total irregular entry cases, according to official data.
The Ministry of the Interior explained that these figures are temporary and cumulative, subject to revision in future updates, making the developments in the remaining weeks of the year crucial in determining the final tally of migration routes towards the city.
