At least 72 died in Spain’s Ceuta migrant rush
At least 72 people lost their lives during last week’s sudden mass influx of migrants into Spain’s Ceuta enclave. Local officials confirmed the updated figure on Sunday. Most of the estimated 60,000 people who crossed from Morocco have already returned.
The government’s delegate to Ceuta, Miguel Angel Perez Triano, told reporters the latest death toll stands at 72. The previous count had been 67. Tens of thousands of people, mostly swimming around the border post, entered the Spanish north African territory in a short period.
Spanish police and troops continued to patrol the streets of Ceuta on Sunday as the enclave slowly returned to normal. Only small groups of migrants remained visible. The majority of those who crossed the barrier went back to Morocco voluntarily within 48 hours.
Outside a housing project near the port, soldiers detained a group of nine tired migrants sitting on the pavement. An armoured vehicle stood nearby. Small inflatable boats from a rescue unit searched the waters around the border barrier that stretches into the Mediterranean. A new 500-metre floating boom now reinforces security in the area.
Civil Guard officers were also removing migrants from buses and escorting them back to the border post for return. The crossing itself appeared calm, with workers collecting trash, clothes and other items left behind during the large-scale movement.
Spain has blamed criminal gangs for spreading rumours that a recent Supreme Court ruling would make entry easier. Some analysts believe Morocco may have eased controls to apply diplomatic pressure. Similar tactics were used in 2021 when around 10,000 migrants entered Ceuta.
Many of those who crossed said they heard the border was open, a claim that spread rapidly on social media. The European Union plans a video call after several member states called for a coordinated response. Italy has temporarily suspended its Schengen agreement with Spain.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez criticised what he called a selfish reaction from some EU partners. Moroccan officials have not yet issued any public statement on the events.
