Ceuta: Spain slams "selfish" EU partners

A mass influx of migrants into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco has resulted in a significant death toll. According to officials, at least 72 people died in the attempt, with many drowning or being crushed while trying to cross the border. The surge, which began on Thursday, saw an estimated 60,000 people enter Ceuta, with most returning to Morocco within 48 hours.

The situation in Ceuta had largely returned to normal by Sunday, with Spanish police and troops patrolling the streets and only small groups of migrants still present. The government's delegate to Ceuta, Miguel Angel Perez, reported that over 1,000 people had been treated by health services since Thursday. The crisis has sparked debates in Spain and across Europe about migration policy, with some European partners criticizing Madrid for its approach.

Spain has announced plans to install a 500-metre-long containment barrier along the sea border, and the country's leader, Pedro Sanchez, has faced criticism from right and far-right parties for his government's handling of the situation. The incident has also highlighted the complex strategic dynamics at play in the Western Mediterranean, with Spain, Morocco, and other countries vying for influence in the region.

Brief written by urgent.news from France 24, South China Morning Post, Jerusalem Post, DW News, Dawn — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.