Death toll from Spain’s Ceuta migrant rush rises to 72

CEUTA, Spain - At least 72 people died during last week’s mass influx of migrants into Spain’s Ceuta enclave, when tens of thousands of people mostly swam around the border post from Morocco, local officials said on Aug 2.

Most of the estimated 60,000 people who rushed into Spain’s North African territory have returned to Morocco since the territory’s largest mass migrant crossing.

“The latest figure that we have is 72,” the government’s delegate to Ceuta, Miguel Angel Perez Triano, told reporters, when asked about the number of fatalities.

The previous toll was 67 deaths.

Spanish police and troops patrolled the streets of Ceuta on Aug 2 as the enclave returned to normal after the sudden mass influx of migrants from Morocco.

Only small groups of migrants were still walking around after most who crossed the small border barrier returned voluntarily to Morocco in 48 hours.

AFP news agency on Aug 1 saw migrant minors milling around in a disused industrial park in Ceuta. Others were seen dozing on the pavements outside.

“All the children here want to go to (mainland) Spain,” said one of the few adults at the site, Moroccan man Aziz Dabch, 41.

The largest migrant rush into the enclave has caused an international crisis for Spain with European partners criticising Madrid for its immigration policies.

Outside a housing project near Ceuta port, Spanish soldiers detained a group of nine tired-looking migrants who were sitting on the pavement, guarded by troops with an armoured car, an AFP reporter said.

Small inflatable boats from a rescue unit scoured the waters around the border barrier that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, where a new 500m floating boom reinforced security.

The Civil Guard was also taking migrants off a bus to escort them back to the border post to return to Morocco.

The border crossing was calm, with groups of workers picking up trash, clothes and rubbish left behind during the mass crossing.

Spain has blamed criminal gangs for spreading rumours that a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling on immigration would allow migrants easier passage.

Some analysts suggested Morocco could allow migrants to cross the border to put diplomatic pressure on Spain, which has recently improved ties with Rabat’s arch-enemy, neighbouring Algeria.

In 2021, around 10,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta, taking advantage of Morocco easing border controls as a way to pressure Spain.

Moroccan officials have so far not offered any statement on the crisis.

But some of those who crossed the border said they had heard the border was open – a rumour quickly amplified on social media.

The European Union said it would hold a video call on Aug 4 after 22 bloc members issued a joint open letter calling for an urgent meeting to agree on a speedy coordinated response, and to prevent further uncontrolled crossings.

Italy on Aug 1 implemented a one-month suspension of its Schengen agreement with Spain, disallowing visa-free movement between their borders.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, in a letter to EU leaders, blasted the “selfish” reaction by some EU countries.

Pope Leo on Aug 2 spoke about the situation in Ceuta in his daily prayer, saying he was following it “with concern” and hoping for a solution of “peace, stability and justice”. AFP