Migrant deaths in Ceuta rise to 67, tens of thousands returned to Morocco

The number of migrants who died trying to enter Spain's northern African enclave of Ceuta has climbed to 67, the government in Madrid announced. Some drowned, while others died in the chaos during the rush towards the breakwater, according to the Associated Press.

Spain is erecting 500 meters of fencing along the breakwater extending into the sea. This measure follows a forceful border breach by around 60,000 migrants aiming for Europe over Thursday and Friday night. The Spanish Ministry of the Interior stated that most of these individuals have returned to Morocco.

Ceuta, a city of 84,000 residents, has been calm since morning. Soldiers met exhausted migrants who swam to the beach and escorted them back across the border. Ceuta's mayor, Juan Jesús Vivas, expressed that the "return of people has begun in a satisfactory way, but this process must be completed" so the city can return to its previous state.

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the return of people has begun in a satisfactory way, but this process must be completed

However, some migrants are determined to stay. Mohamed Hatri, a 23-year-old Moroccan, stated that "everything is closed in Ceuta so we cannot buy anything to eat, to force us to return to our country, but we will stay, even if we are hungry."

The migrant influx has created divisions within the EU. Several member states have called on Spain to ensure these migrants do not travel further. Twenty-two EU governments have convened an emergency meeting of interior ministers to discuss the situation and urge the Union to assist Madrid in regaining control of its border with Morocco, Reuters reported.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez criticized governments that sought Spain's exclusion from the Schengen Area, which allows for free movement across state borders without passport control.

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everything is closed in Ceuta so we cannot buy anything to eat, to force us to return to our country, but we will stay, even if we are hungry