Migrant Crisis Death Toll in Ceuta Rises to 72; EU Ministers to Convene

The number of fatalities in the migrant crisis at the border of Ceuta, Spain's North African enclave, and Morocco has climbed to 72, according to a Spanish government representative. This figure is an increase from the 67 reported previously. The crisis erupted when approximately 60,000 illegal immigrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta, a territory of 83,000 residents, on Thursday and Friday.

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the number of fatal victims of the migration crisis on the border between Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in North Africa, and Morocco, has risen to 72

Spanish Interior Ministry reports indicated that the vast majority of migrants had already returned to Morocco by Friday evening. Miguel Angel Perez Triano, the government representative, noted that while there was an increase in attempted crossings from Monday to Wednesday, with over a thousand individuals attempting to enter Ceuta, the government had no prior information suggesting such massive border breaches would occur in the subsequent two days.

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the vast majority of migrants have returned to Morocco

Over 3,000 security personnel, including military members and police officers, have been stationed in Ceuta to maintain order. They are expected to remain in place for as long as necessary. Several hundred migrants who arrived in recent days are still in Ceuta, according to Spanish public broadcaster RTVE. In response to the escalating situation, EU ministers for interior and justice will hold an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday. Following the crisis, some EU countries suggested suspending cooperation with Spain within the Schengen zone.

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they will remain there as long as necessary