At least 67 people have died in the recent surge of migrants attempting to cross from Morocco into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta, according to Spain’s Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska. The number has risen from 18 as of Friday, highlighting the severity of the situation. The deaths include those who drowned and others who were crushed in a stampede toward a breakwater barrier, as reported by multiple sources.
Spanish authorities have responded by installing a floating barrier along the border to manage the influx. The measure comes after a large number of migrants attempted to cross, with some 60,000 people entering Ceuta in recent days. While thousands have since returned to Morocco, the crisis has sparked concerns across Europe.
Italy has temporarily suspended the Schengen agreement with Spain, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni calling the scenes in Ceuta “shocking.” Meanwhile, Morocco has been condemned for allegedly facilitating illegal crossings into the EU. The situation underscores the growing challenges of managing migration flows between North Africa and Europe.
France and Italy have also increased border controls in response to the influx, as the crisis has become one of the largest migrant challenges for the EU in years. The situation remains volatile, with ongoing efforts to stabilize the border and prevent further loss of life.
