Morocco says 11 died in Ceuta crossing after Spain puts toll at 72

 Morocco and Spain have offered differing death tolls from
the recent mass crossings into Ceuta, with reports indicating that many
migrants died.

 

On Sunday, Miguel Angel ⁠Perez, the Spanish government
representative in Ceuta, said the death toll had risen to at least 72, just a
day after Fernando Grande-Marlaska, Spain’s
interior minister, said at least 67 people had died while attempting the
crossing.

Moroccan authorities countered the figures. The North
African interior ministry said only 11 people died trying to reach the Spanish
enclave. According to Rabat, 10 of the victims drowned, while an eleventh
person fell from a rocky area.

Perez added that in addition to the 72 fatalities, more than
1,000 people had received treatment ​from
health services since Thursday.

He noted that the situation in the city had improved
markedly but said more remained to ​be
done to re-establish normality.

According to Spain, at least 60,000 migrants entered Ceuta
from Morocco — more than half of the exclave’s population.

Reports said many were driven to migrate by economic
hardship and fuelled rumours circulating on social media.

On Saturday, Spain said almost all of the 60,000 migrants
had returned to Morocco.

Ceuta is one of the European Union’s only two land ​borders with Africa.

The mass migration triggered alarm across Europe, prompting
EU member states to heighten border security.

Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday

Advertise on NOP NIGERIA to reach thousands of our daily users