Migrant Death Toll in Ceuta Reaches 67 Amid EU Tensions

The death toll from migrant crossings into Ceuta from Morocco has reached 67, as reported by Spanish authorities. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the "selfish, polarising and unlawful reaction" of several EU member states, particularly Italy and France, in response to the influx of migrants.

Italy has temporarily imposed border controls on travel from Spain, while France's Interior Minister Laurent Nunez ordered additional checks along their shared border. Sánchez's letter criticized these actions as driven by "prejudice, fake news, ignorance or political interest." Following a recent Supreme Court ruling, Spanish officials are unable to summarily deport migrants arriving by sea without due process.

Many migrants have since returned to Morocco, citing a lack of food and shelter in Ceuta. In response to the situation, Spanish officials began installing a floating barrier at a key entry point.

Sánchez previously described the mass crossings as a violation of Spain's territorial integrity, attributing the influx to misinformation from traffickers.