About 49,000 Migrants Enter Ceuta in 24 Hours

Spain's Interior Ministry estimates that about 49,000 migrants entered the North African enclave of Ceuta by land and sea over the past 24 hours. At least 19 people died while attempting the crossing, with their bodies recovered from the water. By Friday, Spain and Morocco had reinforced border controls and appeared to have halted the mass influx.

Moroccan authorities deployed water cannons and security forces to push crowds back from border crossings. Reuters reporters saw a burned out bus and seven burned out vehicles near the border. Although the crossings were blocked, groups of migrants continued trying to bypass the fence along the coastline, while others attempted to swim to Ceuta.

The Spanish government said it would seek to deport people who entered the country illegally as quickly as possible while complying with court rulings and respecting migrants' rights.

The mass arrival has triggered diplomatic tensions within Europe. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for Spain's suspension from the Schengen area, arguing that the influx posed a threat to the bloc's external border. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares described the proposal as inappropriate and said he would summon the Italian ambassador in protest.

(Reuters, Lud)