Spain's Ceuta sees 50% of migrants return to Morocco; 34 feared dead

Summary

Spain on Friday said it had reversed a massive influx of migrants into its North African enclave of Ceuta , with around half of those who crossed the border into the Spanish territory already returning voluntarily to Morocco. The development came amid heightened tensions at the border, where violent clashes erupted and multiple deaths were reported. According to Spain's Interior Ministry, nearly 50,000 people crossed into Ceuta by land and sea since Thursday morning. Authorities estimated that around 25,000 migrants had already turned back and returned to Morocco. The unprecedented influx prompted a major security response along the border, where Moroccan security forces used batons and tear gas to disperse crowds attempting to force their way through the enclave's border gates. Several vehicles were also set on fire during clashes in the area. The humanitarian toll continued to mount. Spanish authorities said at least 19 bodies were recovered from the waters near Ceuta, while Juan Jesus Vivas, head of Ceuta's local government, claimed the death toll had reached 34. Adding another dimension to the debate, a Spanish minister suggested the sudden surge may have been influenced by a recent court ruling that restricted the use of summary expulsions of migrants at the border. Although Spanish authorities say the situation is stabilising as thousands return to Morocco, the scale of the crossings and the fatalities reported have renewed concerns over migration management, border security and humanitarian conditions along one of Europe's most sensitive external frontiers.