Spain deploys military to Ceuta border after 60,000 migrants cross; 34 die

At least 34 migrants died attempting to reach Ceuta, the Spanish enclave on Morocco's coast, as some 60,000 migrants entered the territory from Morocco during a 24-hour period Thursday through Friday. The surge equivalent to 70% of Ceuta's regular population, according to Ceuta President Juan Jesus Vivas, prompted Spain to deploy its military to restore the border. Spain's state broadcaster RTVE broadcast images of burned cars on the Moroccan side of the border after reported clashes.

Many of those who died drowned, but some were also killed in a stampede to cross the breakwater fence at Tarajal beach, according to CBS News reporting. Rachid Sbihi, who leads a local workers association representing Civil Guard officers, called the situation a "serious humanitarian crisis," noting that thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied children, were left sleeping in parks and on sidewalks.

To reach Ceuta, migrants often swim from the Moroccan town of Fnideq, covering about 3 miles to reach Spanish territory, or attempt the crossing from the nearby town of Belyounech, where the distance is shorter. A surge in migrants attempting to reach Ceuta occurred mainly by swimming on Wednesday, with the escalation continuing Thursday and overnight into Friday.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez characterized the crossings as "an attack, a violation of Spain's territorial integrity" and called them "deplorable." Juan Jesus Vivas called for the national government to declare an emergency on grounds of national security, asking for more police and for the army to be deployed on the border. However, legislation covering a declaration of national emergencies does not consider migration flows as a risk to national security, according to the ministry.

Ceuta authorities had previously linked the surge to a Spanish Supreme Court ruling earlier this month that barred authorities from immediately returning migrants who arrive by sea without due process. However, the ruling does not apply to migrants who enter Spain by land, including by climbing over the border fence. Some activists in Morocco expressed doubt that the Supreme Court ruling was behind the surge, arguing most migrants would have been unaware of such legal decisions. It was not immediately clear what prompted so many people to cross to Ceuta.

Moroccan authorities have not publicly commented on the crossings, and Morocco's Interior Ministry did not respond to requests for comment. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni threatened to suspend Italy's open-border Schengen agreement with Spain "to defend our borders and ensure the safety of our citizens," though Italy does not share a border with Spain. Ceuta has been a Spanish possession since 1580.