At least 57 migrants have died while attempting to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa, prompting Spain to tighten border security and raising fresh concerns over Europe’s migration crisis.
According to local authorities, nearly 60,000 people attempted to enter Ceuta from Morocco within a 24-hour period. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited the enclave to assess the situation as authorities worked to contain the unprecedented influx.
Rachid Sebbihi, head of a local association representing Civil Guard officers, said several of the victims drowned while trying to reach the enclave by sea. Others were reportedly crushed in a stampede near Tarajal Beach as crowds attempted to breach the border fence.
Prime Minister Sánchez described the incident as an attack on Spain’s territorial integrity and blamed human trafficking networks for orchestrating the mass crossing.
Spain’s Interior Ministry said that after more than 50,000 people crossed the border, around 48,300 had been returned to Morocco by Friday evening. Repatriation procedures for the remaining migrants are continuing.
To restore order, the Spanish government has deployed additional military personnel, police units, divers, drones and patrol vessels to Ceuta.
The incident has also drawn international attention. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the situation as “deeply regrettable.” Italy, Finland and Denmark have reportedly called for Spain to be temporarily excluded from the Schengen Area, while France has stepped up security along its own borders.
U.S. President Donald Trump also commented on the crisis, comparing it with U.S. immigration policy during a media interview. However, a senior European Union official said none of the migrants who entered Ceuta had dispersed into mainland Europe.
Source: NDTV