At least 18 migrants dead as thousands breach Spanish enclave in north Africa

At least 18 migrants died trying to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta after thousands breached the border with Morocco. Many drowned, some died in a stampede. Spanish PM Sánchez and Interior Minister Grande-Marlaska planned to visit Ceuta. France activated border force. Ceuta's leader called for emergency and army deployment. Moroccan authorities did not comment.

At least 18 migrants died trying to reach the Spanish territory of Ceuta after thousands breached the frontier with Morocco, pouring into the enclave. The border crisis boiled over Thursday and overnight, with Spain's state broadcaster RTVE broadcasting images of burned cars on the Moroccan side after reported clashes. Rachid Sbihi, who leads a local workers association representing Civil Guard officers, called the situation a "serious humanitarian crisis," saying thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied children, were left sleeping in parks and sidewalks. Among the 18 who died, many drowned, Sbihi said, but some were also killed in a stampede to cross the breakwater fence at Tarajal beach. Ahmed Karim, a 33-year-old Moroccan, said he crossed because of lack of jobs. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is expected to join Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska in a visit to Ceuta on Friday morning. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said France would strengthen border checks with Spain. Moroccan authorities have not publicly commented. It was not immediately clear what prompted the surge. Ceuta authorities had linked it to a Spanish Supreme Court ruling barring immediate returns of migrants arriving by sea, but some activists expressed doubt. Ceuta's regional leader Juan Jesús Vivas called for emergency declaration and army deployment.