Spain says most of the 50,000 migrants who crossed into its territory from Morocco have returned

A massive surge of migrants attempted to enter the Spanish exclave of Ceuta from Morocco this week, overwhelming border guards and resulting in at least 57 reported deaths. Spanish authorities estimate that around 50,000 people attempted the crossing, primarily by land and sea. The sudden influx prompted a swift response from Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who rushed to the territory, and led Italy to temporarily restore border controls on travel from Spain.

By Friday evening, Spanish authorities reported that most of the migrants had returned to Morocco. Many left voluntarily, with some citing difficulties in finding food or shelter within Ceuta. Reuters observed hundreds of people returning through border posts and breaches in the fence. The regional government of Ceuta initially put the total number of arrivals at 60,000, while the Interior Ministry confirmed around 50,000 crossed since Thursday morning.

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Migration is about improving our lives. We agreed we would try the idea of crossing and trust in God.

Prime Minister Sánchez strongly condemned the mass crossings, labeling them a "violation of Spain’s territorial integrity." He attributed the influx to misinformation spread by human traffickers, particularly following a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling that migrants arriving by sea could not be immediately returned to Morocco. This ruling, coupled with social media reports, appears to have created a perception of opportunity among young Moroccans.

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What happened yesterday deserves our full reproach, our full condemnation.

Broader economic factors also contribute to the migration pressure. Official figures indicate that one in four Moroccans aged 15 to 24 are not engaged in education, employment, or training. The calm seas typical for this time of year also made swimming a more viable option for crossing. Some analysts question the extent of Moroccan authorities' efforts to prevent the crossings, given Morocco's non-recognition of Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla.

The arrival of tens of thousands of people overwhelmed Ceuta, a small exclave with a population of just 84,000. The situation sparked criticism both domestically and internationally, leading Italy to implement temporary Schengen suspension measures concerning Spain to safeguard its citizens' security.

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The temporary suspension of #Schengen regarding Spain is a necessary step to safeguard our citizens’ security and defend European