Spain and Morocco strengthened security along the border of Spain’s Ceuta enclave on Friday after a major surge of attempted crossings left at least 19 people dead.
More than 49,000 people were estimated to have entered Ceuta illegally within 24 hours, according to Spain’s Interior Ministry. The mass arrival caused political tensions across Europe, with some countries calling for stronger border controls.
Moroccan authorities used water cannons and increased security efforts to stop more people from reaching the border. Many migrants attempted to enter Ceuta by swimming from Morocco, while others tried to get through border fences.
Spanish officials said they planned to quickly return people who entered illegally, although court rulings have placed limits on some immediate expulsion measures.
Ceuta and Melilla are the European Union’s only land borders with Africa and are frequent entry points for migrants hoping to reach Europe. Officials said a recent court decision restricting some migrant returns may have contributed to the surge.
The large crossing also sparked debate among European leaders over migration policies. France announced it would increase checks along its border with Spain, while Italy warned it could consider suspending parts of the EU’s open-border system.
