The death toll from a migrant rush into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco rises to at least 72, officials say. Multiple outlets report that five additional bodies are found along Ceuta’s coastline, bringing the total fatalities since Thursday’s surge to 72.
The influx began on Thursday and involved a large number of people crossing by land and sea through one of the EU’s only land border crossings with Africa. One report says more than 50,000 people enter Ceuta during the surge. Within the following 48 hours, more than 48,000 are reported to have returned to Morocco, with additional returns occurring over the weekend.
Spanish officials also report that the health services in Ceuta have treated more than 1,000 people since Thursday, reflecting the scale of injuries and medical needs following the mass arrival.
Some reporting notes that the fatalities announced by Moroccan authorities earlier were lower than the toll later reported for Ceuta, while the overall figures cited by sources converge on the 72 deaths and the continuing recovery of bodies along the enclave’s coast.
