The crossing
At least 72 people died during a mass influx of migrants into Spain's Ceuta enclave last week, local officials said today. Tens of thousands of people rushed into the Spanish territory on the North African coast. Most of them swam around the border post from Morocco to reach Spanish soil.
The crossing is short but dangerous. Strong currents and cold water have claimed lives in the past. Local rescue teams worked for days to pull people from the sea. Officials said the final death toll could still change as search efforts continue.
Numbers and response
Local officials estimate that about 60,000 people entered Ceuta during the surge. Most of them have since returned to Morocco. Spanish authorities said they are working with Moroccan officials to manage the situation and prevent another rush at the border.
The Spanish government has sent additional police officers and military personnel to the enclave. Border posts have been reinforced. Officials said they are also setting up temporary shelters for migrants who remain in the territory.
Wider pressure on Europe
The surge has renewed pressure on Spain and the European Union over migration across the Mediterranean. The EU has pledged more funding for border management in recent years. Humanitarian groups say the real need is for safe and legal routes to Europe.
"People will keep taking these risks as long as they see no other way," said a spokesperson for a migrant aid group working in Ceuta. The group has called for an independent investigation into the deaths and for better protection for people attempting the crossing.
Spain's interior ministry said it will review border procedures and look into how so many people reached the enclave in a single day. The review is expected to take several weeks. In the meantime, officials are urging migrants in Morocco not to attempt the crossing.