Calm has returned to the border between the Spanish enclave of Ceuta and Morocco after a major migration crisis. Spanish authorities installed a floating barrier following a surge of people attempting to cross into Ceuta, leading to a large-scale return operation. Thousands of migrants who had entered the enclave in recent days began returning to Morocco, with at least 48,000 people leaving the area by Friday evening (vanguardngr.com). The operation continued into Saturday, with many returning to the Moroccan border town of Fnideq, where they boarded buses for home (channelstv.com).
The crisis, which saw up to 60,000 people cross into Ceuta, has raised concerns about the safety of migrants attempting to reach Europe. At least 57 people died during the crossing, with some drowning and others killed in a stampede near a breakwater barrier (peopledaily.digital). The death toll later rose to 67, highlighting the dangers faced by those attempting to cross the border (npr.org). Morocco has been criticized for allegedly facilitating illegal crossings into the European Union, with Western intelligence sources pointing to the country’s role in the crisis (gbnews.com).
In response, France and Italy have increased border controls to manage the influx of migrants, as the situation has sparked one of the largest migrant crises for the European Union in years (africanews.com). The Spanish government has taken steps to secure the border, including the installation of a floating barrier, to prevent further unauthorized crossings.
