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57 migrants die attempting to cross to Spanish enclave; 48,300 return to Morocco

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • 57 migrants died while attempting to cross from Morocco to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, with over 48,300 people voluntarily returning to Morocco.
  • Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the breach of Spanish sovereignty, while far-right parties criticized his government's immigration policies.
  • The influx of migrants, which surged dramatically in a short period, has been linked to social media posts suggesting Spain might not immediately reject asylum seekers intercepted at sea, and has become a political issue in the U.S.

The perilous journey from Morocco to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta has resulted in the deaths of 57 migrants, according to Spanish Interior Ministry figures. The ministry reported that as of May 31, 57 migrants died during the crossing, while an additional 48,300 individuals voluntarily returned to Morocco. Spanish authorities indicated that the death toll could rise, as there is a possibility of further casualties on the Moroccan side.

A violation of Spanish territory.

— Pedro SánchezSpanish Prime Minister's condemnation of the migrant influx.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited Ceuta, denouncing the event as a "violation of Spanish territory." However, the situation has drawn criticism from Spain's far-right party, Vox, which accused Sánchez's government of facilitating the entry of undocumented migrants. Reports suggest that right-wing parties across Europe are attributing the crisis to Spain's lenient immigration policies.

Analysts suggest that a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling, which may prevent the immediate rejection of migrants intercepted at sea, widely circulated on social media, contributed to the sudden surge in arrivals. Ceuta, along with Melilla, are Spain's only cities with land borders in Africa, making them frequent destinations for migrants seeking entry into Europe.

Tens of thousands of people appeared to be invading a country.

— Donald TrumpFormer U.S. President's description of the migrant situation.

The crisis has also become a political talking point in the United States. Former President Donald Trump described the situation as an "invasion," warning that similar events could occur in the U.S. if Republicans are not elected. He urged voters to support the Republican party, suggesting that a Democratic victory would lead to more severe border crises.

If the Democrats are elected again, much more serious situations will happen to our country.

— Donald TrumpFormer U.S. President's warning regarding immigration policy.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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