Spain installs 500-meter sea barrier in Ceuta after 67 deaths
What's new: Crossings fell to nearly zero overnight after about 50,000 people entered Ceuta in two days and 22 EU states sought emergency talks.
Spain began installing a 500-meter floating barrier off Ceuta on Friday after a mass migrant rush from Morocco left at least 67 people dead and brought roughly 50,000 people into the North African enclave over two days. Spanish authorities said more than 48,000 had already returned to Morocco within 48 hours and overnight crossings had dropped to almost zero. The barrier is being laid at the Tarajal breakwater, a main crossing point, and includes anchored buoys with a patrol channel for Civil Guard boats. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said police and military reinforcements would stay in place as Spain worked to keep control of the border. The crisis also widened strains inside the EU, with 22 governments pressing for an emergency meeting of interior ministers.
Sources
Earlier in this story
- 1 hour agoSpain restores control of Ceuta, Sanchez attacks EU response
- 2 hours ago9 Dead as Hundreds of Moroccan Migrants Swim to Ceuta
- 2 hours agoSpain closes Melilla border, adds troops in Ceuta
- 4 hours agoSanchez rebukes EU states over backlash to Ceuta migrant influx
- 5 hours agoSpain installs 500-meter sea barrier in Ceuta after 67 deathsreading now
- 5 hours agoMigrants surge into Spain's Ceuta as enclave seeks emergency aid