Spanish police and military personnel on Saturday, August 1, escorted large groups of migrants through the North African enclave of Ceuta toward the El Tarajal border crossing as authorities continued efforts to manage the aftermath of an unprecedented mass border crossing from neighbouring Morocco.
Security forces were seen accompanying migrants to designated border areas after tens of thousands entered the Spanish territory in recent days. Many reportedly reached Ceuta by swimming around the Tarajal breakwater or crossing through coastal border points.
Spanish authorities said on Friday that they had largely reversed the surge, with most of the migrants who entered the enclave already returning voluntarily to Morocco.
The Spanish government’s representative in Ceuta disclosed that 57 bodies had been recovered on the Spanish side of the border, adding that there could be additional casualties on the Moroccan side.
According to officials, some of the victims drowned while attempting the dangerous sea crossing, while others were crushed during attempts to climb the breakwater supporting the border fence.
Spain’s Interior Ministry said approximately 50,000 people crossed into Ceuta between Thursday morning and Friday, estimating that about 48,300 had returned by 6:00 p.m. (1600 GMT) on Friday.
However, the head of Ceuta’s local government, Juan Jesús Vivas, said the total number of migrants who entered the enclave over the two-day period may have reached 60,000.
Ceuta and Melilla, Spain’s two autonomous cities on the northern coast of Morocco, constitute the European Union’s only land borders with Africa. While both territories have experienced periodic migration surges over the years, officials described the scale of the latest crossings as unprecedented.
Spanish authorities continue to work with security agencies to restore order while managing the humanitarian implications of the mass migration event.