Spain, Morocco try to halt deadly rush on Spanish enclave after tens of thousands cross in a day

Spain and Morocco reinforced the border fence of the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Friday, appearing to have largely halted mass crossings after an unprecedented surge of tens of thousands of people arrived by sea and land in a single day. At least 19 dead bodies were found in the water, highlighting the perilous journey undertaken by migrants seeking to reach Europe.

The mass crossing into Ceuta, a small Spanish-held territory jutting into the Mediterranean from Morocco, sent shockwaves across Europe. France announced increased checks on its border with Spain, and Italy threatened to suspend Spain from the EU’s internal open border scheme. On the Moroccan side, authorities deployed water cannon trucks and pushed people back from the border fence. Charred remains of a bus and seven cars were visible near the border, remnants of clashes with the crowds.

Spanish authorities stated their intention to expel those who entered illegally as quickly as possible, while navigating a court ruling that placed some restrictions on immediate expulsions. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was scheduled to visit Ceuta on Friday with Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska. The scale of Thursday's rush had little precedent for Ceuta and Melilla, the EU’s only land borders with Africa, which periodically experience surges in migrant crossings.

Territorial Policy Minister Angel Victor Torres suggested that a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling, which prevents the summary return of migrants intercepted at sea trying to reach Ceuta or Melilla, might have contributed to the surge. On the Moroccan side, thousands of migrants continued to stream into the town of Fnideq overnight, despite reinforced security. Groups moved along the coast seeking alternative routes, with some preparing to swim.

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I was late. I had arrived from Tangier hoping to cross through the gate but found it effectively shut.