Death toll from migrant influx to Spanish north Africa outpost rises to 72
The death toll from a mass migrant crossing into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta has reached 72, according to local officials. While most migrants have returned to Morocco, the event has sparked an international diplomatic crisis regarding immigration policy.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions regarding migration routes into Europe and the diplomatic friction between Spain and Morocco.
Most of the estimated 60,000 people who rushed into Spain's north African territory have returned to Morocco since the territory's largest mass migrant crossing. Photo / Henry Nicholls, AFP
At least 72 people died during the mass influx in recent days of migrants into Spain’s Ceuta enclave, when tens of thousands of people mostly swam around the border post from Morocco, local officials said on Sunday.
Most of the estimated 60,000 people who rushed into Spain’s north African territory have returned to Morocco since the territory’s largest mass migrant crossing.
Miguel Angel Perez Triano, the Government’s delegate to Ceuta, confirmed to reporters: “The latest figure that we have is 72.”
The Moroccan government, however, put the figure at 11, saying 10 people drowned and an 11th fatally fell from a rocky area.
Morocco was working with Spain to check the toll figures and to identify bodies found on Spanish territory.
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