More than 40,000 irregular migrants from Morocco entered Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta in recent days, initial estimates released Friday indicated, according to Spanish daily El Pais.
Security force estimates showed that more than 40,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta from Morocco in recent days, most of them on Thursday.
The report said some sources estimate the number of irregular entries may have neared 50,000, adding that even the lower estimate represents an almost 50% increase in the enclave’s population, which officially stands at more than 80,000.
Meanwhile, hundreds of migrants who entered Ceuta irregularly in recent hours reportedly began returning to Morocco through the same crossing point they had used to enter.
A police source confirmed to the public broadcaster RTVE on Friday that the death toll linked to the mass arrivals had risen to 19.
Earlier Friday, hundreds of migrants reportedly clashed with security forces at the border fences while attempting to cross from Morocco into Ceuta and Melilla, Spain’s other North African enclave.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the government was mobilizing all available resources in response to the situation.
The government also announced that the armed forces would be deployed to support the Civil Guard in maintaining security across the city.
