MADRID, Aug. 1 — The death toll from the mass migrant crossings into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta has risen to 67, as Spanish authorities said the border situation had largely stabilized after most migrants returned to neighboring Morocco.
The Spanish government said on Saturday that none of the nearly 50,000 migrants who entered Ceuta irregularly had been allowed to travel onward to mainland Spain.
More than 48,000 migrants returned to Morocco within 48 hours, effectively bringing one of the largest irregular migration crises on Spain’s southern border under control.
Spanish authorities also began installing new maritime barriers at the El Tarajal breakwater on Saturday as part of strengthened border security measures.
According to the Interior Ministry, the system consists of a 500-meter pneumatic floating barrier with a submerged section extending up to one meter below the water, complemented by a first line of anchored buoys provided by the Spanish Navy.
A navigation channel has been left open to allow Civil Guard patrol boats to continue border surveillance. According to EFE, the Spanish news agency, Moroccan authorities have arrested 70 people over violent incidents linked to the migrant crisis.
The suspects are being investigated on charges including attempted homicide, arson and damage to public and private property following clashes with security forces. (Namibia Daily News / Xinhua)
