Spain has deployed military reinforcements to its North African enclave of Ceuta after an unprecedented influx of around 60,000 migrants crossed from neighboring Morocco, triggering one of the largest border crises in the enclave's history and leaving at least 57 people dead.

The mass crossing, which unfolded over the course of Thursday and Friday, overwhelmed local authorities as tens of thousands of migrants entered the tiny Spanish territory by sea and land. Many swam around the border breakwaters, while others crossed on foot after border controls collapsed.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the incident as a "violation of Spain's territorial integrity," blaming human trafficking networks for encouraging migrants to undertake the dangerous journey.

Speaking during a visit to Ceuta, Sánchez said criminal smuggling organizations had deliberately misrepresented a recent ruling by Spain's Supreme Court, which held that migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to reach Ceuta or the neighboring enclave of Melilla cannot be immediately returned to Morocco.

"What has emerged from our discussions with Moroccan authorities is that trafficking mafias spread a self-serving interpretation of the court ruling, encouraging thousands of people to attempt the crossing," Sánchez said.

Death Toll Mounts

According to local media, at least 57 migrants lost their lives during the mass crossing, with many drowning while attempting to swim around the heavily fortified coastal border. Emergency services also treated hundreds of people suffering from exhaustion, dehydration and injuries sustained during the chaotic crossings.

Spanish officials said that by Friday evening more than 48,000 migrants had voluntarily returned to Morocco, while repatriation efforts continued in coordination with Moroccan authorities.

One migrant returning to Morocco told Reuters that the journey had proved devastating.

"People are dying here," he said. "Please, if you haven't come yet, don't come."

Thousands Stranded in Ceuta

The sudden arrival of tens of thousands of people overwhelmed Ceuta, whose population is approximately 83,600.

Local authorities estimated that the number of arrivals amounted to nearly 70 percent of the city's population, while Spain's Interior Ministry placed the figure at around 50,000.

Thousands of migrants, including women, children and babies, spent the night in parks, beaches and public squares after arriving without shelter or basic supplies.

Officials estimated that approximately 7,000 of those who crossed into Ceuta were unaccompanied minors.

Residents described scenes of unprecedented disorder.

"I've never seen anything like it," local resident Víctor Ortiz Sotomayor told the BBC. "The city is packed with migrants in every square and every street."

Another resident, Carmen Gonzalez Bermudez, said thousands of people arrived soaked after swimming from Morocco.

"Most are simply looking for a better future," she said, while expressing concern over the lack of effective border control during the crisis.

Military Reinforcements Deployed

In response, Spain dispatched additional military personnel, police units and Civil Guard officers to reinforce security in both Ceuta and the neighboring Spanish enclave of Melilla, where hundreds of additional migrants also crossed overnight.

Authorities have begun strengthening border security while working alongside Moroccan officials to prevent further crossings.

The Spanish government also announced that it would review border protection measures in light of the unprecedented migration surge.

Diplomatic Tensions Grow

The crisis has also sparked political tensions across Europe.

Italy announced the temporary suspension of the Schengen free-movement arrangements with Spain, introducing additional checks for air travelers. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the scenes in Ceuta as "shocking" and warned that uncontrolled migration posed a security threat to Europe.

Spain rejected the criticism, with Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares accusing Italian leaders of engaging in "partisan demagoguery" rather than demonstrating European solidarity. Madrid also summoned the Italian ambassador over the remarks.

The Czech Republic also called for a temporary suspension of Spain's participation in the Schengen area.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the scenes from Ceuta as "unacceptable" and called for immediate action to restore control of the EU's external border.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Morocco to cooperate in the swift return of migrants who entered Spain irregularly, while Finland's Interior Minister Mari Rantanen echoed calls for stronger border protection.

Longstanding Migration Route

Ceuta and the neighboring Spanish enclave of Melilla represent the European Union's only land borders with Africa and have long served as key entry points for migrants seeking to reach Europe.

Migration pressure has increased sharply this year. According to United Nations data, more than 2,800 migrants had already entered Ceuta before mid-July, significantly exceeding the totals recorded in previous years.

Spanish authorities say investigations are continuing into the role played by human trafficking networks in organizing the latest mass crossing, while rescue teams remain engaged in humanitarian operations following one of the deadliest migration incidents to affect the Spanish enclaves in recent years. (ILKHA)