On August 3, 2025, a dramatic incident occurred on Sotillo Beach in Castell de Ferro, Granada, Spain, when a speedboat carrying around 13 migrants, reportedly of Moroccan origin, landed on a crowded beach around 2 p.m. local time. The migrants jumped into the water and swam to shore, prompting varied reactions from beachgoers. Some holidaymakers and locals chased and restrained several of the migrants, with footage showing a man in swimming trunks pinning one to the ground. Others tried to blend into the crowd or fled along the beach, but nine were ultimately detained by the Spanish Civil Guard, with assistance from local police and lifeguards who helped identify and capture some of the men.
This event reflects Spain’s ongoing migration challenges, with over 63,000 migrants arriving irregularly in 2024, primarily via the Canary Islands. The Strait of Gibraltar remains a common but perilous route for migrants from North Africa. While some beachgoers acted to detain the migrants, others, as noted in social media posts, expressed sympathy, with one user stating they would have helped the migrants, asserting “no person is illegal.” Spain’s government, led by Pedro Sanchez, has faced criticism from political groups like Vox for policies perceived as lenient, amid debates over border control and migration management.