Thousands of people returned to Morocco from the Spanish enclave of Ceuta after a major border operation, with at least 48,000 of the 60,000 who entered the area in recent days returning home, according to official reports (vanguardngr.com). The return began on Friday and continued into Saturday, with large groups boarding buses to leave the border area. The Spanish government confirmed the scale of the repatriation, highlighting the efforts to manage the influx of migrants.
Spanish authorities have since installed a floating barrier near the border to control movement, following the chaotic scenes of people attempting to cross into Ceuta. The barrier is part of a broader strategy to manage the flow of migrants, many of whom come from sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa. The situation has raised concerns about the safety of those attempting to cross, with at least 57 people reported dead in the process, including those who drowned or were crushed in stampedes (peopledaily.digital).
The crisis has also drawn international attention, with France and Italy increasing border controls in response to the influx. Morocco has been criticized for allegedly facilitating illegal crossings into the European Union, though the country has not officially commented on the accusations (africanews.com). The situation remains tense, with authorities working to stabilize the border and prevent further loss of life.
