Spanish authorities report that approximately 48,300 of the roughly 50,000 people who entered the Ceuta enclave illegally have returned to Morocco voluntarily. At least 57 people were killed attempting to cross the border. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, visiting the area, described the mass influx as a violation of Spain's territorial integrity.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Friday described the mass influx of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta as a "violation of Spain's territorial integrity," as the death toll from the border crossing reached 57. Spanish authorities reported that of the estimated 50,000 to 60,000 people who entered illegally, 48,300 have returned to Morocco, leaving only approximately 1,800 still in the enclave, according to the latest government figures.
The crisis began with unprecedented waves of migrants crossing from Morocco into Ceuta. As The Zioneer reported, initial unverified estimates placed the number of crossings at 50,000, and later at 60,000—figures that were cited by local officials. The number of returnees evolved rapidly: early reports on Friday indicated 25,000 had returned, before spiking to over 37,500, and then to at least 48,300 by evening. The death toll, which was initially reported at 18, was later confirmed at 57 by Spanish news agencies. A 9-year-old girl was reported missing amid the chaos.
The crisis has overwhelmed local infrastructure. As The Zioneer reported, reception centers were operating at over 2,400% capacity. A court ruling blocked immediate repatriation of migrants who arrived by sea, complicating Madrid's response. Local residents expressed fear, calling the influx an "invasion," and some cursed Prime Minister Sánchez, blaming him for the crisis. The governor of Ceuta alleged that Moroccan soldiers were assisting the migrants, a claim that remains unconfirmed.
The status of the missing 9-year-old girl remains unconfirmed. The few hundred migrants still in Ceuta are subject to legal proceedings. Morocco's role in the border breach continues to be a point of tension between Rabat and Madrid.
15 developments
- StrongNew court ruling blocks immediate return of migrants to Spain; local governor warns of 'chaos' as influx continues
- DevelopingEl País: Spanish government assesses Morocco directly assisted Ceuta migrant wave
- DevelopingSpanish resident of Ceuta says she is scared, calls migrant influx 'an invasion'
- DevelopingMoroccan migrants say authorities encouraged them to cross into Ceuta, NYT reports
Source and signal
- Open-source intake