(Central News Agency, Rabat/Ceuta, 2nd combined foreign reports) Morocco's interior ministry said 11 people died this week while trying to reach Ceuta, Spain's North African enclave, as tens of thousands of migrants attempted to enter.
According to AFP, Madrid authorities said at least 72 people have died. Rabat authorities said 10 drowned and one died after falling from a rocky area.
It is estimated that around 60,000 people flooded into Ceuta, most of them swimming. But since the largest cross-border incident in the Spanish territory, most have returned to Morocco.
Spain's government delegate to Ceuta, Miguel Angel Perez Triano, when asked about the death toll, told reporters: "The latest figure we have is 72."
After the sudden mass influx of migrants from July 29 to 31, the area has largely returned to normal, with Spanish military police patrolling the streets of Ceuta today. Most of those who crossed the small border fence have voluntarily returned to Morocco within 48 hours, leaving only scattered small groups of migrants still lingering.
Spain blames criminal groups for spreading rumors that a recent Supreme Court ruling on immigration would make it easier for migrants to enter.
Some analysts believe Morocco may have deliberately let migrants through to pressure Spain diplomatically, because Madrid has recently improved relations with Algeria, Rabat's longtime rival.
In 2021, about 10,000 migrants entered Ceuta after Morocco loosened border controls to pressure Spain.
Pope Leo XIV today made special mention of the Ceuta situation during Sunday prayers, saying he was deeply concerned and hoped for a "peaceful, stable and just" solution.
