Ceuta Border Crisis: 60,000 Migrants Cross, 57 Die; 48,000 Return to Morocco

First article states 60,000 crossed, second says 50,000 crossed.

First article states 45,000 returned, second says 48,000 returned.

After a day of deadly chaos in Spain’s tiny North African enclave of Ceuta, calm has returned for now. Of the 60,000 migrants who stormed into the territory, around 45,000 returned to neighbouring Morocco within hours. Authorities ordered people to turn around and go back, warning they could otherwise face eventual expulsion. There were fears the massive surge could trigger a humanitarian crisis. Spain is a major entry point into Europe for migrants seeking a better life, and many hoped that reaching Ceuta would help them make their way to mainland Europe. Nick Rushworth has more.

Spanish officials said more than 48,000 migrants had returned, after around 50,000 people crossed the border between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta by sea. Meanwhile, France and Italy bolstered border controls on Saturday, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announcing the suspension of Schengen free movement between Spain and Italy. According to Judith Sunderland, Senior Associate Director at Human Rights Watch, the return of many of those who reached Ceuta was chaotic, and the exact figures remain unclear. She says the borders are heavily fortified, making them extremely difficult and dangerous to cross, with 57 people reported to have died during the crisis. And while Ceuta is part of Spain and the Schengen free movement area, special rules apply to the enclave, making it difficult for migrants to travel onwards from there.