- Spain estimated that 48,300 migrants had returned to Morocco by 6 p.m. local time on Friday, meaning most of the 60,000 migrants estimated to have crossed into Ceuta had already left; Reuters reported several hundred people voluntarily walking back through border posts and holes in the fence.
- Albares said practically the entirety of those who entered Ceuta had returned to Morocco and that travelers from Ceuta or Melilla must pass police identification checks to reach the Spanish mainland.
- Authorities revised the death toll to 57 bodies recovered on the Spanish side of the border, up from at least 34; some drowned and others were crushed in a stampede at a breakwater near a border checkpoint.
- Germany's interior minister Alexander Dobrindt said Berlin intended to reinforce and extend border checks beyond September, citing the volatile situation in Ceuta.
- Several European leaders called for tougher Schengen action: Denmark said the EU should consider suspending Schengen cooperation, Italy's Giorgia Meloni called for suspending Spain, and Finland's Mari Rantanen backed Meloni's proposal.
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said dangerous crossings must stop immediately, smuggling networks must be dismantled, and returns must be swift, expressing confidence that partnership with Morocco would deliver results.
Spain's government reported that by Friday evening, around 48,300 migrants had returned to Morocco, following a massive influx of approximately 60,000 individuals crossing into Ceuta.123
The Spanish Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, stated, "Practically the entirety of those who entered Ceuta have already returned to Morocco."45
The situation escalated tensions within Europe, prompting Italy to suspend its Schengen agreement with Spain for a month.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani emphasized that the suspension was necessary to "protect the security of our citizens and defend Europe's borders."
The crisis has also led to increased border checks in Germany, with Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt noting, "The situation in Ceuta highlights the volatile nature of the illegal migration crisis."8910
Tragically, the Spanish authorities reported recovering 57 bodies, with many victims drowning or being crushed in a stampede while attempting to cross.67
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attributed the surge to people smugglers manipulating a recent Supreme Court ruling that limited deportations of migrants arriving by sea.
The misinformation surrounding this ruling, Sanchez noted, “spread like wildfire through the networks of human trafficking organizations.”
European leaders, including Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Italy's Giorgia Meloni, have called for immediate measures to address the crisis, with Meloni suggesting a suspension of Spain's Schengen membership.111213
Ursula von der Leyen expressed confidence in the EU's partnership with Morocco to tackle the issue.141516
“Spain estimated 48,300 migrants had returned by Friday evening, while 57 bodies have been recovered on the Spanish side; some drowned and others were crushed in a stampede. Germany's interior minister cited the volatile situation to extend border checks beyond September, and Italy's Giorgia Meloni called for suspending Spain's Schengen membership.”
DW.com
