Death toll rises to 57 as most illegal migrants leave Spain's Ceuta enclave

MADRID, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from those attempting to reach Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta by sea has risen to 57 by Friday.

Meanwhile, the vast majority of migrants who entered the territory over the past two days have returned to neighboring Morocco. It marked a rapid de-escalation of one of the largest irregular migration crises at Spain's southern border in recent years.

According to Spanish authorities, around 37,500 migrants have returned to Morocco after entering Ceuta, many of them voluntarily after discovering that they would not be able to remain in Spain or continue to Spain's mainland.

The Spanish government estimates that around 50,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta during the crisis, overwhelming the enclave's reception capacity and prompting the deployment of additional National Police officers, Civil Guard personnel and military units to reinforce border security.

Many migrants who later returned to Morocco told media that they had been led to believe accommodation would be available upon arrival in Spain, only to find overcrowded reception facilities and little prospect of remaining in Ceuta.

The European Commission said on Friday it stands ready to provide additional support to Spain, including reinforcing the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) if requested by Madrid.

The Commission said it is also in close contact with the Moroccan authorities to strengthen border management and prevent further irregular crossings, stressing that protecting the EU's external borders is a key element of the bloc's Pact on Migration and Asylum.

Although crossings have sharply declined, Spanish authorities said security forces remain on heightened alert along the border in Ceuta and continue coordinating with Morocco to prevent further large-scale irregular entries. ■