Ceuta (Spain): Spain's Interior Ministry said on Friday that, according to its estimates, around 49,000 migrants had crossed into Ceuta over the past 24 hours, arriving by sea and land from Morocco.
The Spanish government said the Armed Forces would assist the Civil Guard "to maintain security in the city of Ceuta". Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is expected to visit Ceuta on Friday with Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska.
Moroccan authorities reinforced security around the crossing gates and deployed water cannon trucks, repeatedly pushing back migrants attempting to approach the border. Security forces also turned back groups making concerted attempts to cross through the night.
Thousands of people gathered in the Moroccan town of Fnideq, with would-be migrants, including minors, continuing to arrive. Some walked along the highway into the city, while others took mountain paths to avoid checkpoints.
The charred remains of a bus and seven cars could be seen near the area following clashes with crowds.
At least 18 migrants died while attempting to reach Ceuta, according to Rachid Sbihi, who leads a local workers association representing Civil Guard officers. Many drowned, while others were killed in a stampede while attempting to cross the breakwater fence at Tarajal beach, he said.
Rachid Sbihi described the situation as a "serious humanitarian crisis", saying that people were still entering Ceuta and that reinforcements were helping with injured people and other humanitarian efforts.
Thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied children, were left without shelter and were sleeping in parks and on pavements, while others moved through the streets.
Video footage showed crowds, mainly Moroccans, walking from the breakwaters at Tarajal beach towards local roads. Most appeared to be young men, although families with women and small children were also seen.
It was not immediately clear what prompted the sudden increase in crossings, and Moroccan authorities have not publicly commented on the developments.
The developments also triggered political concern in Italy, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni threatening to suspend Italy's open-border Schengen agreement with Spain "to defend our borders and ensure the safety of our citizens".
Spain's Interior Ministry said Morocco was closely cooperating with Spain and that Moroccan police were stopping people attempting to cross the border. Both countries agreed to work together to return those who entered Ceuta illegally.
(with inputs from AP via PTI and Reuters)
