Thousands of migrants still in Ceuta, Spanish intelligence: Morocco allowed the border breach

Four days after a mass border breach from Morocco to Ceuta, thousands of migrants remain in the city. Spain has updated that up to 75,000 migrants entered, about 69,500 were returned to Morocco, and 3,000–5,000 remain. The official death toll is 83. Reception centers have collapsed, and 862 minors are protected from deportation. Spanish intelligence assesses that Rabat did not initiate the breach but allowed it to happen.

Four days after thousands of illegal migrants broke through from Moroccan territory into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, thousands are still in the city, and the authorities are struggling to cope. Spain, which initially reported 2,000–3,000 migrants, updated the number to 60,000 and then to about 75,000. According to the latest update, about 69,500 migrants have returned to Morocco in the last four days, and in addition, 3,000–5,000 remain in Ceuta. The official death toll stands at 83 – 72 on the Spanish side and 11 on the Moroccan side; some drowned and others were crushed in the crush. Ceuta's leader, Juan Jesús Vivas, said that two reception centers have collapsed, and that the authorities are handling 862 minors who are protected from deportation. Spanish intelligence assesses that Rabat did not initiate the breach but allowed it to happen. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares stressed that Morocco offered police assistance and did not condition cooperation, while Vivas told El País: "Morocco has shown us that it cannot be trusted." The European Union has announced an emergency meeting of interior ministers for tomorrow.