“More than 48,000 — that is, virtually all of them — had already been returned to Morocco within 48 hours,” said the Spanish government

NEED TO KNOW

• At least 67 migrants from Morocco died during a mass crossing attempt into the Spanish city of Ceuta
• The Spanish government said “roughly 50,000” people crossed into Ceuta, with “virtually all” of them returning to Morocco
• Several European countries have called for a coordinated response to prevent the incident from happening again

Dozens of migrants have died this week during a mass crossing attempt into the Spanish city of Ceuta.

At least 67 of the tens of thousands of migrants who attempted to cross the border from Morocco into Ceuta on Thursday, July 30, and Friday, July 31, have died, according to the Associated Press, Al Jazeera and ABC News, which cited Spanish authorities.

Some migrants died by drowning while others were killed in a stampede to cross a breakwater barrier, the AP reported.

A viral video captured of the event showed thousands of people swimming to the frontier of Ceuta, which borders Morocco on the northern side of the South African continent. Many could be seen climbing up the walls and then running in hordes along the coast to get into the city. 

Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement on Saturday, Aug. 1 that there were “roughly 50,000 people” who crossed “irregularly” into Ceuta. “More than 48,000 — that is, virtually all of them — had already been returned to Morocco within 48 hours,” they continued.

The MFA added that none of the people who illegally crossed into Ceuta have left the city for mainland Spain, and they would not be able to due to the current checks in place. They noted that ferry operators and airlines are required to verify documents among other controls defined by  Schengen Borders Code. Spain is part of the Schengen Area, which allows people to move freely between several European countries.

Following the incident, several European countries issued a joint letter calling for a coordinated response in order to prevent further uncontrolled crossings, according to the AP and Al Jazeera. 

On July 31, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on X that as a result of the incident, her country has “decided to temporarily suspend the free movement regime provided for by Schengen in maritime and air connections with Spain, reintroducing border controls.” 

“This is an extraordinary measure, adopted to safeguard national security and prevent possible repercussions for our nation,” she wrote. “Defending borders means defending the safety of citizens, combating irregular immigration, and striking at the criminal networks that traffic human beings.”

Spanish President Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón said in a press conference on July 31 that the country will strengthen the “presence of the Forces and Security Bodies on the streets” of Ceuta.

80,000 residents were confined to their homes and stores in Ceuta closed following the incident, per ABC News.

Pérez-Castejón said the Spanish government would also “deploy a physical containment barrier at sea to facilitate repatriation at the border.”

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“We will expedite the repatriation cases of migrants who arrived irregularly,” he said. ”And we will maintain cooperation with the authorities of Morocco to continue fighting against the mafias that traffic human beings.”

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