BBC- About 49,000 migrants have entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco, as border controls apparently broke down.
- Spain deployed its armed forces to bolster security in Ceuta and its sister city of Melilla, where 300 to 400 crossings were also reported overnight.
- At least 18 people have died trying to reach the territory in recent days, and at least 7,000 of those who crossed illegally in the last 24 hours are minors.
- This would be the largest number of migrants to cross into Ceuta since May 2021, when more than 10,000 people entered, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is set to visit Ceuta later on Friday.
- The estimated number of migrants entering Ceuta could be more than half of the city's population, which stands at around 83,600.
- Spain's interior ministry said it was working with Morocco to ensure the return of all who crossed illegally into its territory "as soon as possible".
About 49,000 migrants have crossed into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco in the last 24 hours, overwhelming border controls and prompting the deployment of armed forces.12
Local officials reported chaotic scenes as thousands swam into the city, with videos showing the desperate attempts of migrants to reach safety.
Officials say at least 18 people have died while trying to reach the territory in recent days, highlighting the dangers faced by those making the journey. Among the new arrivals, at least 7,000 are minors, raising concerns about the welfare of vulnerable populations.45
This surge follows a recent ruling by Spain's Supreme Court, which stated that migrants intercepted at sea cannot be summarily returned to Morocco.
The astonishing estimation by Spanish officials suggests that the number of migrants who entered Ceuta could be more than half of the city's population of approximately 83,600.8
Spain's interior ministry is working with Morocco to ensure the return of all who crossed illegally into its territory "as soon as possible."9
If confirmed, this would mark the largest influx of migrants into Ceuta since May 2021, when over 10,000 people entered the city.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is set to visit Ceuta later on Friday to assess the situation.67
“At least 18 people have died reaching Ceuta in recent days; officials say at least 7,000 of those who crossed illegally in the last 24 hours are minors. Spain has deployed armed forces to Ceuta and Melilla, where 300–400 crossings were reported overnight, and is working with Morocco on returns "as soon as possible."”
