The death toll from the migration crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta has risen to 72, while more than 48,300 migrants have been returned to Morocco, Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE reported on Sunday.
Rescue teams have recovered the bodies of 72 people who drowned while attempting to swim from Morocco to Ceuta, one of Spain’s two autonomous enclaves in North Africa.
On Saturday, Spanish authorities installed a 500-meter maritime barrier in the Tarajal border area to prevent further irregular crossings.
The autonomous city has gradually begun returning to normal, although security forces continue searching neighborhoods for migrants who remain in the city. Many of those returned to Morocco reportedly did so voluntarily.
Authorities escorted groups of migrants to the Tarajal border crossing, where they are being transferred back to Morocco.
In Spain’s other North African enclave, Melilla, located about 224 kilometers east of Ceuta, authorities temporarily slowed traffic at the Beni-Enzar border crossing after detecting an attempted irregular crossing through the border fence. Vehicle and pedestrian traffic later resumed as the situation stabilized.
Spain’s National Institute of Health Management said the number of migrants who have received medical treatment in Ceuta has reached 1,149.
One person with serious injuries was awaiting transfer to mainland Spain for further medical care.
Spain’s Ministry of the Interior estimates that more than 50,000 migrants entered Ceuta irregularly on Thursday, while returns to Morocco continue.
The migration crisis is expected to be discussed by European Union justice and home affairs ministers at a meeting scheduled for Tuesday.
