Spain Deploys Floating Barrier at Sea as Ceuta Death Toll Rises

The Spanish government deployed a floating barrier at sea off the coast of Tarajal, Ceuta, on Sunday to prevent irregular migrants from crossing by sea from Morocco at the border enclave in northern Africa. In addition to the fully operational sea fence, Spanish authorities are continuing to tighten border surveillance following an influx of irregular immigration, some of which was attempted by swimming. Spanish authorities on Sunday announced the official death toll from the surge of irregular migrants crossing the sea had risen to 72. Meanwhile, the Ceuta regional government reported that 88 bodies are currently being held in the city morgue. Local authorities said some bodies were recovered from the sea more than two weeks after the surge in arrivals, and the process of identifying the deceased is still underway. Although the large-scale wave of arrivals has subsided, the situation in Ceuta has not yet fully returned to normal. Police and military personnel continued security operations throughout the city on Sunday, detaining migrants found on the streets. Those arrested are taken to police stations for identification before deportation procedures begin. The surge in migrant arrivals represents one of the most serious border crises in recent Spanish history, prompting the government to take emergency measures and reigniting debate across Europe on migration management and the protection of the European Union’s external borders.