Thousands of Migrants Cross Into Spain, At Least 19 Dead

At least 50,000 migrants crossed into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco  by land and sea in just 24 hours. It is one of the largest border surges Europe has seen in recent years and has prompted a major security response from Spanish authorities. 

Ceuta’s local government initially estimated as many as 60,000 people entered the Spanish territory, while Spain’s Interior Ministry later placed the figure closer to 50,000. Officials said more than 25,000 migrants had voluntarily returned to Morocco by Friday afternoon as authorities accelerated repatriation efforts. 

The surge followed a ruling by Spain’s Supreme Court that migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to reach Ceuta or Melilla cannot be summarily returned to Morocco, according to the BBC. 

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the mass crossing as “a violation of Spain’s territorial sovereignty” and said illegal migrants would be returned to Morocco “as soon as possible.” Reuters reported that Sánchez blamed criminal networks for exploiting a recent ruling by Spain’s Supreme Court, which limited the summary return of migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to reach Ceuta and Melilla. 

Moroccan police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds still gathered at the border, and the charred remains of a bus and several vehicles were visible from earlier clashes, Reuters reported. 

Officials estimate at least 7,000 of those who crossed in the latest surge are minors, the BBC reported. According to Reuters, at least nineteen bodies were found in the water.