Spain returns most migrants from Ceuta to Morocco

Almost all migrants who illegally entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco have already returned to the neighboring country.

Politico reports this, citing data from the Spanish government.

During the mass border crossing into Ceuta, about 60,000 people entered in a single day. According to Spanish authorities, by the evening of July 31, more than 48,000 migrants had voluntarily returned to Morocco.

Spain deployed additional police and military units to the enclave. Madrid also coordinated with Moroccan authorities to regain control of the border and organize the return of those who had arrived.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the mass influx of migrants a violation of the country's territorial integrity. He accused smugglers of spreading false information about the possibility of reaching Europe unimpeded through Ceuta.

According to media reports, at least 57 people died while trying to cross the border and reach Ceuta by sea.

The migration crisis also prompted France to tighten controls on its border with Spain, and Italy to temporarily reinstate checks on passengers arriving from Spain by sea and air.