Spain tries to contain the migration crisis in Ceuta: 48,000 people have already returned to Morocco and the death toll rises to 57

Spain has deployed army troops to its North African enclave of Ceuta to contain a major migration crisis following the arrival of more than 50,000 migrants by land and sea. While authorities initially estimated higher returns, security forces report that approximately 48,000 to 53,000 individuals have since returned to Morocco, with the reported death toll rising to 57.

In neighboring Morocco, authorities have detained 70 people following violent incidents related to the mass crossings. Migrants attempting the journey have described perilous swims from the coast of Fnideq, highlighting the severe dangers of the route, while far-right European politicians have seized upon the situation to criticize Spain's migration policies.