Spain says migrants are returning from Ceuta after 57 die in border rush

Spain says most of the 50,000 migrants who crossed into Ceuta from Morocco have returned, but 57 bodies were recovered. The border rush sparked EU tensions, with Italy suspending Schengen and right-wing parties blaming Spain's policies. PM Sanchez visited Ceuta, calling the crossing a violation of sovereignty.

Spain said on Friday it had reversed a huge rush of migrants into Ceuta, with most of the more than 50,000 who had crossed by land and sea already heading back voluntarily. The Spanish government's representative in Ceuta said 57 bodies had been recovered on the Spanish side, with some drowned and some crushed while trying to climb the breakwater. Spain's Interior Ministry said around 50,000 had crossed since Thursday morning, estimating 48,300 had returned by 6 p.m. Friday. Juan Jesus Vivas, head of Ceuta's local government, said as many as 60,000 had pushed across. Moroccan forces used batons and tear gas at the gates. The rush caused division in Europe, with Italy suspending Schengen arrangements with Spain, a move Madrid said violated EU treaties. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez traveled to Ceuta, calling the crossing "a violation of Spain's territorial sovereignty" and said repatriation was being sped up with Morocco's cooperation. Right-wing parties blamed Spain's lax migration policies, including an amnesty. US President Donald Trump called the crossings "an invasion," and the State Department blamed Spain's policies. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said police presence on the Spanish border would be quintupled. Territorial Policy Minister Angel Victor Torres cited a Supreme Court ruling that migrants intercepted at sea cannot be summarily rejected. Some migrants said they were returning due to lack of food and shelter.