Ceuta: Most migrants have returned to Morocco, 57 died crossing the border

Summary

Spanish officials said more than 48,000 migrants had returned, after around 50,000 people crossed the border between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta by sea. Meanwhile, France and Italy bolstered border controls on Saturday, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announcing the suspension of Schengen free movement between Spain and Italy. According to Judith Sunderland, Senior Associate Director at Human Rights Watch, the return of many of those who reached Ceuta was chaotic, and the exact figures remain unclear. She says the borders are heavily fortified, making them extremely difficult and dangerous to cross, with 57 people reported to have died during the crisis. And while Ceuta is part of Spain and the Schengen free movement area, special rules apply to the enclave, making it difficult for migrants to travel onwards from there.