The death toll from last week’s mass migrant rush from Morocco into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta has risen to at least 72, after rescue teams recovered five more bodies along the Moroccan coast. North Waziristan Operation Security Forces Kill Terrorists in Intelligence-Based Raid Spanish officials confirmed the updated toll on Sunday. However, Moroccan authorities reported a significantly lower figure, highlighting a growing discrepancy over the scale of the tragedy. Thousands Crossed into Ceuta More than 50,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta by land and sea in an unprecedented surge that began on Thursday. Spanish authorities said more than 48,000 people returned to Morocco within 48 hours, while others continued returning over the weekend. Miguel Angel Perez, Spain’s government representative in Ceuta, said health services treated more than 1,000 people during the emergency. He added that conditions in the enclave had improved, although authorities were still working to restore normal operations. Authorities Explain the Deadly Incident Many migrants drowned while attempting dangerous sea crossings. Others died in crowd crushes as they tried to climb border fences and breakwaters. Spanish officials said economic hardship and misleading social media rumours encouraged many people to attempt the crossing. Morocco’s Interior Ministry reported 11 deaths, mostly from drowning, and said it was verifying reports from the Spanish side. The ministry blamed human trafficking networks, online misinformation and misunderstandings about Spain’s migration policies for fuelling the surge. Moroccan authorities estimated that around 40,000 people attempted the crossing and said security forces also stopped 1,135 migrants from entering the Spanish enclave of Melilla. Border Security Tightens Spanish authorities strengthened police and military patrols around Ceuta and installed a 500-metre floating barrier to reinforce border security. Following the incident, 22 European Union member states called for stronger coordination to protect the bloc’s external borders. Italy also temporarily suspended passport-free Schengen travel arrangements with Spain for one month. Spain rejected suggestions that its immigration policies encouraged the mass crossing. Officials stressed that migrants entering Ceuta irregularly cannot automatically travel onward to mainland Spain or other Schengen countries. Human Cost Remains Central Residents expressed sorrow over the loss of life and urged governments to address the root causes of irregular migration instead of allowing more people to risk dangerous sea crossings. Post navigation Iran Warning Araghchi Vows Strong Response to Any US Aggression
