Ceuta border crisis death toll rises to 67 as Spain sets sea barrier
More than 48,000 migrants have been returned to Maroko in 48 hours, and none have been allowed on to Spain's mainland.
The death toll in the mass migrant crossing crisis to Ceuta, the Spanish enclave in North Africa, rose to 67 on Saturday (1/8). The Spanish government said the deaths were caused by drownings and crowd surges while people crossed the breakwater at El Tarajal. After almost 50,000 people entered Ceuta between Thursday and Friday, more than 48,000 of them had been sent back to Maroko within 48 hours. Madrid also began installing a new 500-meter maritime barrier along the sea border to tighten security. Ceuta President Juan Jesus Vivas said the situation was beginning to calm, but the city had not returned to normal. Some migrants remained in Ceuta, while Maroko authorities arrested 70 people in connection with the violence that accompanied the crisis.
Sources
Earlier in this story
- 1 hour agoSpain closes Melilla border, adds troops in Ceuta
- 2 hours agoCeuta border crisis death toll rises to 67 as Spain sets sea barrierreading now
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