Migration: At least 50,000 migrants reach Spanish exclave
At least 57 people died in the stampede, 48,300 are already back in Morocco. The EU promises Spain support, several member states call for tougher action.
Within 24 hours, at least 50,000 migrants have entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, according to the regional government. Regional president Juan Jesús Vivas reportedly spoke of 60,000, which accounts for roughly 70% of the territory's regular residents. The Spanish Ministry of the Interior reported that 48,300 people had already voluntarily returned to Morocco by Friday evening.
The exact number remaining on the island is unknown. Due to the lack of prospects for further travel, as well as a shortage of accommodation and supplies, many individuals have reportedly given up and voluntarily returned, according to the newspaper "El País". "RTVE" showed images of people walking through the streets at night on Saturday in search of shelter, among other things.
The reception centers were reportedly overwhelmed. After the influx, the Madrid government sent the military, and several hundred additional police forces were reportedly relocated to the city. Video footage showed thousands of migrants arriving by inflatable boats or breaching barriers in the border fence. According to the newspaper "El País", citing Spanish authorities, at least 67 people died during the events.
Some victims drowned, while others perished in a crush at a wave breaker. Spain now plans to erect a 500-meter-long barricade along the wave breaker.
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