Mass border breach
At least 57 people have died after tens of thousands of people crossed from Morocco into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta, officials said. More than 60,000 people entered the territory during the mass breach, one of the largest border crossings in recent European history.
Spanish authorities said many of the deaths occurred during the chaotic crossing, including drownings and crushing incidents along the coastal route. Rescue teams worked through the night to pull people from the water near the border fence.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited the territory and announced that Spain would set up a temporary center to speed up the expulsion of migrants who have no legal claim to stay. "We will act with order and with respect for the law," Sánchez said.
Spain sends troops
Spain has deployed additional troops to Ceuta to help police manage the crowds and restore control at the border. The enclave, which sits on the northern coast of Morocco, has long been a flashpoint for migration into Europe.
Moroccan authorities did not immediately explain why border controls failed. Witnesses described large groups pushing past barriers in the early hours of the morning. Some carried children, while others swam around the breakwaters to reach Spanish territory.
European reaction
The crisis has triggered a political response across Europe. Italy has demanded that Spain be suspended from the Schengen area, the zone of free movement that covers most of the EU. Italian officials warned that the events in Ceuta could encourage further mass movements toward other member states.
Humanitarian groups called on the EU to respond with a coordinated plan rather than punitive measures. The United Nations refugee agency said it was monitoring the situation and urged both countries to protect people in need of international protection.
The events in Ceuta come as migration pressures rise across the Mediterranean. Officials in Brussels said emergency talks with Spain and Morocco would take place in the coming days to address the immediate crisis and its causes.