According to CNN, at least 57 migrants have been killed in a mass attempt to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco. Estimates indicate about 50,000 people tried to cross this week, with most returning to Morocco.
Saturday morning — CNN reports that at least 57 migrants have been killed in the mass attempt to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco, corroborating the death toll The Zioneer reported on Friday evening. The report adds that an estimated 50,000 people attempted to cross this week, with the majority having returned to Morocco. The crisis, which saw tens of thousands breach the border last week, has largely subsided as repatriation efforts continue.
As The Zioneer reported at 17:30 Jerusalem on Friday, the Ceuta government had declared a state of emergency after 9 bodies were found on the beach and at least 60 migrants had died in crossing attempts in recent months. Minutes later, the Spanish news agency reported that 57 migrants were killed in the current mass crossing attempt. By 17:30, the death toll was confirmed at 57, a 9-year-old girl was reported missing, and over 37,000 Moroccans had returned to Morocco since the day before.
Spanish authorities later announced that nearly all migrants who entered Ceuta had returned, with 48,300 repatriated by late Friday night, according to The Zioneer's background coverage. Background reports also indicated that Moroccan migrants told the New York Times that Moroccan authorities encouraged them to cross, and a court ruling blocked the immediate return of migrants arriving by sea, complicating Madrid's response. The influx overwhelmed local infrastructure, increasing the city's population of 80,000 by more than 60% in a single day.
The circumstances of the 57 deaths and the fate of the missing 9-year-old girl remain under investigation. The role of Moroccan border guards and the diplomatic implications are still being assessed.
4 developments
- StrongSpanish authorities: Nearly all migrants who entered Ceuta have returned to Morocco
- StrongReport claims 50,000 migrants infiltrated Europe in a single day
- DevelopingMoroccan migrants say authorities encouraged them to cross into Ceuta, NYT reports
- DevelopingSpanish resident of Ceuta says she is scared, calls migrant influx 'an invasion'
Source and signal
- Open-source intake