Spain said most migrants who entered its North African enclave of Ceuta during a massive border rush had begun returning voluntarily, after at least 57 people died during the crossing.
The Spanish government’s representative in Ceuta said 57 bodies had been recovered on the Spanish side of the border, adding there could be more casualties in Morocco. Authorities said some people drowned while others were crushed trying to climb the breakwater supporting the border fence.
Spain’s Interior Ministry said about 50,000 people had crossed into Ceuta by land and sea since Thursday morning. By 6 p.m. on Friday, it estimated that 48,300 had returned. Ceuta’s regional leader, Juan Jesus Vivas, said as many as 60,000 people may have crossed over the past two days.
Moroccan security forces used batons and tear gas to push back crowds gathered at the border gates in an effort to stop more people from entering the Spanish territory.
The incident sparked political tensions across Europe. Italy announced it was suspending the European Union’s Schengen arrangements with Spain, a move that would affect air and sea travel between the two countries. Madrid said the decision breached EU treaties.
At the border, Reuters saw Moroccan riot police firing tear gas at crowds near the fence. Water cannon trucks were deployed, while the burned remains of a bus and seven vehicles were visible after clashes.
On the Spanish side, military vehicles lined sections of the border as dozens of migrants watched from a hill in Morocco, unable to cross.
Hundreds of people returned to Morocco through official border posts and gaps in the fence, with many saying they could not find food or shelter in Ceuta.
“Honestly, I don’t even know why I came, and now I’m going back,” a young Moroccan man from Tangier told Reuters. “I haven’t eaten since lunch yesterday, even though I brought some money with me … What we’re doing is neither good nor enjoyable.”
Ayman, a 20-year-old hairdresser from Larache, said he swam for five hours to reach Ceuta.
“There was no food inside Ceuta and we were kicked out badly by the (Spanish) army,” he said.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited Ceuta on Friday, where protesters jeered him. He described the mass crossing as “a violation of Spain’s territorial sovereignty” and said authorities were accelerating the return of those who entered illegally, with Morocco’s cooperation.
Ceuta and Melilla are Spain’s autonomous cities in North Africa and the European Union’s only land borders with Africa. Both regularly experience attempted migrant crossings, but officials said the scale of the latest surge was unprecedented.
Right-wing parties across Europe blamed the incident on Spain’s migration policies, including an amnesty granted this year to hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants.
Spain summoned Italy’s ambassador after Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Spain’s amnesty policy had “encouraged human trafficking”.
US President Donald Trump described the Ceuta crossings as “look like an invasion”, adding: “That same thing’s going to happen to us if the Republicans don’t get elected, except worse.”
The US State Department blamed Spain’s migration policies, saying: “We are considering actions to defend Americans at home and abroad from this threat and stand ready to assist other European allies considering similar option.”
It added: “This unacceptable incident is the direct result of the Spanish Government’s deliberate efforts to enable and facilitate mass illegal migration into Europe.”
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said France would increase police presence on its border with Spain by Saturday, alongside stronger aerial surveillance and rail patrols.
Spain’s Guardia Civil police association, AUGC, said too few officers were deployed to monitor the border fence during Thursday’s surge.
Territorial Policy Minister Angel Victor Torres said one factor behind the rush may have been a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling that migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to reach Ceuta or Melilla cannot be immediately turned back at the border, although experts said they can still be deported.
On the Moroccan side, thousands of migrants gathered in the town of Fnideq despite increased security. While many later left, others continued searching for routes around the border fence.
“I was late,” said Brahim, 32. “I had arrived from Tangier hoping to cross through the gate but found it effectively shut.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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