Spain has deployed additional troops and police officers to Ceuta after an estimated 60000 migrants crossed into the north African enclave from neighbouring Morocco.
Footage from Tarajal beach on Thursday showed large groups entering Ceuta by swimming, wading around breakwaters and travelling along nearby roads while some reportedly climbed the border fence. At least 57 of the migrants have died, according to the latest report.
Most of those arriving appeared to be young men, although women, children and families were also among the crowds.
Moroccan security forces reportedly used teargas and water cannon to disperse people gathered near the border. At least nine bodies were recovered, according to Spanish government officials cited by international media.
Ceuta’s authorities said the sudden influx had overwhelmed border personnel and migrant reception facilities, leaving hundreds of people sleeping on the streets.
Spain’s Interior Ministry announced the deployment of 60 military personnel and an additional 30 Guardia Civil officers to reinforce security operations in the enclave. Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, visited the enclave on Friday in an attempt to deal with crisis.
Ceuta’s regional president, Juan Jesús Vivas, called for additional resources and urged the Spanish government to declare a national emergency. The Interior Ministry rejected the request, saying migration did not meet the legal criteria required for such a declaration.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska were expected to visit Ceuta on Friday.
The crossings followed a Spanish Supreme Court ruling that migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to reach Ceuta or Melilla could not be immediately returned under the territories’ special border rejection system.
Moroccan officials blamed criminal networks for facilitating the crossings and said security cooperation with Spain remained in place.
Ceuta and Melilla are Spanish-controlled territories on the north African coast and form the European Union’s only land borders with Africa. Both enclaves regularly experience attempts by migrants seeking to enter Europe.
