Death toll rises to 67 following crisis at Ceuta border

Madrid (ANTARA) - The death toll from the mass migrant crossing into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa has increased to 67 people, while Spanish authorities state that the situation at the border has stabilised after some migrants returned to Morocco. The Spanish government stated on Saturday (1/8) that none of the nearly 50,000 migrants who entered Ceuta illegally were permitted to continue their journey to mainland Spain. More than 48,000 migrants returned to Morocco within 48 hours, effectively bringing one of the largest illegal migration crises at Spain’s southern border under control. Spanish authorities also began installing new maritime barriers at the El Tarajal breakwater area on Saturday as part of efforts to tighten border security. According to the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, the system consists of a 500-metre pneumatic floating barrier with a section submerged up to one metre below the water surface. The system is equipped with an initial layer of mooring buoys provided by the Spanish Navy. A permanent shipping lane remains open to allow Spanish Civil Guard patrol boats to continue surveillance in the border area. According to the Spanish news agency, EFE, Moroccan authorities have arrested 70 individuals in connection with incidents of violence related to the migrant crisis. The suspects are being investigated on several charges, including attempted murder, arson, and the destruction of both public and private property following clashes with security forces, according to Xinhua.