The death toll in Spain's Ceuta border crisis has climbed to 67, the Spanish government confirmed Saturday. Some victims drowned, while others died in a stampede while trying to cross a breakwater barrier.
Around 60,000 migrants breached the border into the small Spanish territory between Thursday and Friday with prompting Spain to install a 500-meter containment barrier along the breakwater fence. By Friday evening, most had returned to Morocco, though a few exhausted migrants who swam to Ceuta's Tarajal beach Saturday were escorted back by soldiers.
Ceuta's President Juan Jesus Vivas said the city, home to 84,000 people, had not yet returned to normal despite an uneasy calm. Some migrants, like 23-year-old Mohamed Hatri, said they intended to stay despite shortages of food and shelter.
Spanish officials said 57 bodies were recovered on the Spanish side, with possible additional casualties in Morocco. Moroccan forces used batons and tear gas to control crowds at the border, while Spanish military vehicles lined the frontier.
The crisis triggered diplomatic tension across Europe. Italy suspended Schengen border-free arrangements with Spain, a move Madrid called a treaty violation. Spain also summoned Italy's ambassador over comments linking its migration amnesty to human trafficking.
US President Donald Trump described the crossings as resembling "an invasion," while the State Department blamed Spain's migration policies for the incident. France announced it would boost police presence along its Spanish border.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited Ceuta Friday, calling the crossing a violation of Spain's sovereignty and pledging faster repatriation with Moroccan cooperation. Officials noted a recent Spanish court ruling limiting summary rejections at sea may have contributed to the surge, though it does not prevent eventual deportation.
