Spanish authorities say thousands entered Ceuta by land and sea, while fatalities were reported during attempts to cross the border.
MADRID, Spain — WEB DESK: Thousands of migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, with reports indicating that around 60,000 people entered the territory by land and sea during a large-scale border crossing.
According to international media reports, the mass movement of migrants occurred as large groups attempted to enter Ceuta through both maritime and land routes.
Fatalities reported during border crossing
Spanish authorities said dozens of people were killed during the incidents linked to the attempted crossings. Reports cited by authorities indicate that at least 34 people lost their lives, although casualty figures have varied in some reports and investigations are ongoing.
Officials have not yet released comprehensive details regarding the identities of the victims or the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Spanish PM condemns incident
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the events in Ceuta as a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity.
He alleged that human smuggling networks had misinterpreted a ruling by Spain’s Supreme Court to encourage irregular migration.
Sánchez said Spanish authorities were accelerating the repatriation of migrants who entered Ceuta illegally and thanked Moroccan authorities for their cooperation in managing the situation.
Ceuta’s strategic importance
Ceuta and Melilla are Spain’s two autonomous cities on the North African coast and represent the European Union’s only land borders with Africa.
The two enclaves have long been major migration routes for people seeking to reach Europe, with authorities on both sides of the border frequently facing large-scale migration attempts.
Officials in Spain and Morocco continue to coordinate border management and migration control efforts as the situation develops.
