Thousands of people crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco on Thursday, with large crowds seen running through border gates, climbing barriers and entering the territory.

Videos from Tarajal beach showed people moving around breakwaters before heading towards the crossing.

Ceuta's authorities asked Spain's central government to declare a national emergency and requested army intervention in response to the influx.

The latest crossing follows a recent increase in attempts to reach the enclave, mostly by swimming, and echoes the May 2021 border crisis, when more than 8,000 migrants entered Ceuta over two days.