Thousands of migrants entering Spain from neighboring Morocco have sent the autonomous city of Ceuta into chaos since Wednesday, prompting fresh backlash against Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s migration policies.

Local authorities alerted on Wednesday that a growing number of migrants were crossing into Ceuta via the sea. Ceuta’s President Juan Jesús Vivas told reporters the situation was an “absolute humanitarian and social emergency” and requested action from the government.

Thursday saw a further escalation, as thousands more entered Ceuta by both land and sea, overwhelming arrival centers. Videos online showed people using wetsuits and flotation devices to swim onto land .