Spain defends Ceuta’s sovereignty after Moroccan migrant rush

Spanish officials maintained Monday that Spain's sovereignty over Ceuta, a North African territory, is "unquestionable," following an unprecedented surge of migrants entering the area from Morocco. Approximately 50,000 individuals, many swimming across the sea to breach border barriers, have since returned to Morocco. The majority are believed to have departed, with Spanish authorities estimating 2,500 to 5,000 remaining in Ceuta.

A Moroccan woman, speaking to AFP, described the dire conditions, including lack of water and filthy toilets, as she and others endured in a warehouse. Save the Children reported that about 1,000 of the remaining migrants are minors who lack proper protection, as Ceuta's child protection system can only accommodate 100. Spanish authorities stated that the death toll from the week's crossings remains at 72, but identifying the victims and locating their families through Moroccan authorities could be a lengthy process.

The incident has sparked speculation that Morocco may have intentionally facilitated the mass entry to exert diplomatic pressure on Spain, which has recently normalized relations with Algeria, Morocco's rival. Spanish officials have accused criminal networks of spreading false information about a recent Supreme Court immigration ruling, allegedly intended to facilitate easier migrant passage. EU interior ministers planned a video conference on Tuesday to discuss the migrant crisis in Ceuta.