The death toll from the mass migrant rush into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta has risen to 72, after authorities recovered five more bodies following one of Europe’s deadliest border tragedies in recent years.
Spanish officials said the latest discoveries were made on Sunday, days after tens of thousands of migrants attempted to enter Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco by land and sea.
The unprecedented surge began on Thursday, when more than 50,000 people crossed or tried to cross into the North African enclave amid worsening economic conditions and false information circulating on social media.
Many migrants drowned during the dangerous sea crossing, while others were fatally injured in overcrowded stampedes and attempts to climb border barriers. More than 1,000 people required medical treatment following the chaotic influx.
Spanish authorities said over 48,000 migrants had returned to Morocco within 48 hours as emergency operations continued. Officials also confirmed that Ceuta’s morgue had received 88 bodies, including victims from previous migration attempts whose remains were only recently recovered.
In response, Spain has reinforced security at the border, including installing a floating sea barrier to deter further crossings. The crisis has also sparked renewed calls for stronger European Union coordination on migration and border protection.
Spanish authorities insist the mass movement was not triggered by the country’s migrant regularisation policies, maintaining that people entering Ceuta irregularly cannot freely travel to mainland Spain or other parts of the Schengen area.
