Madrid said Friday that nearly all migrants who crossed into Ceuta from Morocco this week have returned, while authorities confirmed at least 57 deaths during the broader border crisis.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The Spanish government said Friday that most of the migrants who entered Ceuta from Morocco during this week’s mass border surge have since returned to Moroccan territory.
Authorities also confirmed that the death toll connected to the crisis had risen to at least 57, CNN reported.
Tens of thousands of migrants crossed into Spain’s North African territories of Ceuta and Melilla during the week, overwhelming border controls and triggering a broader political response across Europe.
Ceuta and Melilla are Spanish exclaves on the African continent and remain among Spain’s most sensitive border points because they provide direct land access to European Union territory from North Africa.
The sudden influx produced scenes of unrest that spread rapidly across social media, including footage showing violent clashes and disorder.
The crisis also prompted Italy to suspend free travel arrangements with Spain.
Other European governments and political leaders subsequently called for Spain to be removed from the Schengen Area, the passport-free travel zone that includes most European Union countries and several neighboring states.
Friday’s announcement from Madrid indicates that the number of migrants remaining in Ceuta has fallen sharply from the peak of the crisis, though the confirmed death toll underscores the scale and severity of the crossings.
The situation has also intensified debate across Europe over border enforcement, Spain’s handling of its North African territories and whether unrestricted movement within Schengen should continue when an external EU border is overwhelmed.
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