An estimated 60,000 migrants from Morocco breached the border into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Thursday, sparking a humanitarian crisis. Spain's interior minister confirmed the death toll has risen to 67.
The influx, equivalent to 70% of Ceuta's population, triggered chaos in the city. Reports claim authorities will have to move some of those who breached the border across the Strait of Gibraltar to the Spanish mainland.
Jenrick warns migrants are 'on their way to Calais'
Reform UK's treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick has warned that many of the migrants will head to Britain. He said the UK could face similar issues if it fails to secure its borders, amid a rise this week in migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats.
Mr Jenrick told The Sun: "Ceuta is our future if we don't secure our border. These men are on their way to Calais." The Sun reports many are expected to try to head for the UK, adding it has also uncovered examples of illegal migrants using Morocco as a launchpad.
Spanish response and returning migrants
Spanish foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares said on Friday evening that "practically the entirety of those who entered Ceuta have already returned to Morocco". Spain deployed its armed forces and additional police to restore order in Ceuta.
Ceuta, which sits on the Strait of Gibraltar at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea, has been under Spanish control since 1580. Some of the migrants swam several miles through the sea to cross the border, while authorities tried to turn them back with water cannons, tear gas and warning shots.
Sánchez visits and blames smugglers
Spain's socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited Ceuta on Friday and described the border breach as "a violation of Spain's territorial integrity". He blamed human smugglers, saying they "deceive so many young people and ultimately lead many of them to their deaths".
Many who made the journey said they were hoping to find better work opportunities but were returning due to the chaos.
Court ruling and questions over Morocco
Authorities in Ceuta and Madrid linked the incident to a recent decision by the Spanish Supreme Court, which ruled that migrants arriving by sea could not be summarily deported, unlike those who cross by land or climb the border fence. However, Mr Sánchez said migrant smugglers misinterpreted the ruling.
According to The Telegraph, Western intelligence sources suspect Morocco facilitated the surge of migrants into Ceuta, with the incident possibly acting as a punishment amid diplomatic frustrations with Spain. Morocco's ambassador to Spain said the situation in Ceuta had unfolded against Morocco's wishes.
