At least 18 migrants have died while attempting to enter Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco, following a large-scale rush by thousands of people trying to cross the border.Ceuta, an autonomous Spanish city located on the northern coast of Africa, witnessed a surge in arrivals after migrants began making attempts to reach the territory mainly by swimming from Morocco.A police source told AFP on Friday that authorities were unable to determine the exact number of people who successfully crossed into Ceuta after thousands gathered during the overnight attempt.“There was a steady stream of people all night long,” the source said, adding that although the number of arrivals reduced compared with daytime movements, migrants “continued to arrive overnight and are still arriving” on Friday morning.Reports of migrants heading towards Ceuta began emerging on Wednesday, with most of the attempts involving crossings by sea.Footage from Thursday showed large crowds, mostly Moroccans, moving along the breakwaters at Tarajal beach and into nearby roads. Among those attempting the crossing were young men, as well as families with women and children.Rachid Sbihi, head of the local workers association representing Civil Guard officers, said most of the 18 fatalities were caused by drowning, while others died during a stampede as migrants attempted to force their way through the breakwater fence at Tarajal beach.Related NewsMorocco edge Algeria to book WAFCON quarter-final spot80 arrested over xenophobic attacks – S’Africa envoyFIFA probes Argentina players over post-final clash with SpainThe reason behind the sudden surge in attempted crossings remains unclear. However, Spain’s Interior Ministry estimated that about 49,000 migrants entered Ceuta within a 24-hour period as they moved by both sea and land routes from Morocco.In response to the situation, the Spanish government announced plans to deploy the military to support the Civil Guard in maintaining security in Ceuta.Images released after the announcement showed Spanish soldiers patrolling areas around the Spanish-Moroccan border in the enclave, alongside armoured vehicles.Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is also expected to visit Ceuta alongside Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska to assess the situation.Ceuta and another Spanish enclave, Melilla, have long been key entry points for migrants seeking access to Europe from Africa.AFP Ceuta, an autonomous Spanish city located on the northern coast of Africa, witnessed a surge in arrivals after migrants began making attempts to reach the territory mainly by swimming from Morocco.A police source told AFP on Friday that authorities were unable to determine the exact number of people who successfully crossed into Ceuta after thousands gathered during the overnight attempt.“There was a steady stream of people all night long,” the source said, adding that although the number of arrivals reduced compared with daytime movements, migrants “continued to arrive overnight and are still arriving” on Friday morning.Reports of migrants heading towards Ceuta began emerging on Wednesday, with most of the attempts involving crossings by sea.Footage from Thursday showed large crowds, mostly Moroccans, moving along the breakwaters at Tarajal beach and into nearby roads. Among those attempting the crossing were young men, as well as families with women and children.Rachid Sbihi, head of the local workers association representing Civil Guard officers, said most of the 18 fatalities were caused by drowning, while others died during a stampede as migrants attempted to force their way through the breakwater fence at Tarajal beach.Related NewsMorocco edge Algeria to book WAFCON quarter-final spot80 arrested over xenophobic attacks – S’Africa envoyFIFA probes Argentina players over post-final clash with SpainThe reason behind the sudden surge in attempted crossings remains unclear. However, Spain’s Interior Ministry estimated that about 49,000 migrants entered Ceuta within a 24-hour period as they moved by both sea and land routes from Morocco.In response to the situation, the Spanish government announced plans to deploy the military to support the Civil Guard in maintaining security in Ceuta.Images released after the announcement showed Spanish soldiers patrolling areas around the Spanish-Moroccan border in the enclave, alongside armoured vehicles.Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is also expected to visit Ceuta alongside Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska to assess the situation.Ceuta and another Spanish enclave, Melilla, have long been key entry points for migrants seeking access to Europe from Africa.AFP A police source told AFP on Friday that authorities were unable to determine the exact number of people who successfully crossed into Ceuta after thousands gathered during the overnight attempt.“There was a steady stream of people all night long,” the source said, adding that although the number of arrivals reduced compared with daytime movements, migrants “continued to arrive overnight and are still arriving” on Friday morning.Reports of migrants heading towards Ceuta began emerging on Wednesday, with most of the attempts involving crossings by sea.Footage from Thursday showed large crowds, mostly Moroccans, moving along the breakwaters at Tarajal beach and into nearby roads. Among those attempting the crossing were young men, as well as families with women and children.Rachid Sbihi, head of the local workers association representing Civil Guard officers, said most of the 18 fatalities were caused by drowning, while others died during a stampede as migrants attempted to force their way through the breakwater fence at Tarajal beach.Related NewsMorocco edge Algeria to book WAFCON quarter-final spot80 arrested over xenophobic attacks – S’Africa envoyFIFA probes Argentina players over post-final clash with SpainThe reason behind the sudden surge in attempted crossings remains unclear. However, Spain’s Interior Ministry estimated that about 49,000 migrants entered Ceuta within a 24-hour period as they moved by both sea and land routes from Morocco.In response to the situation, the Spanish government announced plans to deploy the military to support the Civil Guard in maintaining security in Ceuta.Images released after the announcement showed Spanish soldiers patrolling areas around the Spanish-Moroccan border in the enclave, alongside armoured vehicles.Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is also expected to visit Ceuta alongside Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska to assess the situation.Ceuta and another Spanish enclave, Melilla, have long been key entry points for migrants seeking access to Europe from Africa.AFP “There was a steady stream of people all night long,” the source said, adding that although the number of arrivals reduced compared with daytime movements, migrants “continued to arrive overnight and are still arriving” on Friday morning.Reports of migrants heading towards Ceuta began emerging on Wednesday, with most of the attempts involving crossings by sea.Footage from Thursday showed large crowds, mostly Moroccans, moving along the breakwaters at Tarajal beach and into nearby roads. Among those attempting the crossing were young men, as well as families with women and children.Rachid Sbihi, head of the local workers association representing Civil Guard officers, said most of the 18 fatalities were caused by drowning, while others died during a stampede as migrants attempted to force their way through the breakwater fence at Tarajal beach.Related NewsMorocco edge Algeria to book WAFCON quarter-final spot80 arrested over xenophobic attacks – S’Africa envoyFIFA probes Argentina players over post-final clash with SpainThe reason behind the sudden surge in attempted crossings remains unclear. However, Spain’s Interior Ministry estimated that about 49,000 migrants entered Ceuta within a 24-hour period as they moved by both sea and land routes from Morocco.In response to the situation, the Spanish government announced plans to deploy the military to support the Civil Guard in maintaining security in Ceuta.Images released after the announcement showed Spanish soldiers patrolling areas around the Spanish-Moroccan border in the enclave, alongside armoured vehicles.Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is also expected to visit Ceuta alongside Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska to assess the situation.Ceuta and another Spanish enclave, Melilla, have long been key entry points for migrants seeking access to Europe from Africa.AFP Reports of migrants heading towards Ceuta began emerging on Wednesday, with most of the attempts involving crossings by sea.Footage from Thursday showed large crowds, mostly Moroccans, moving along the breakwaters at Tarajal beach and into nearby roads. Among those attempting the crossing were young men, as well as families with women and children.Rachid Sbihi, head of the local workers association representing Civil Guard officers, said most of the 18 fatalities were caused by drowning, while others died during a stampede as migrants attempted to force their way through the breakwater fence at Tarajal beach.Related NewsMorocco edge Algeria to book WAFCON quarter-final spot80 arrested over xenophobic attacks – S’Africa envoyFIFA probes Argentina players over post-final clash with SpainThe reason behind the sudden surge in attempted crossings remains unclear. However, Spain’s Interior Ministry estimated that about 49,000 migrants entered Ceuta within a 24-hour period as they moved by both sea and land routes from Morocco.In response to the situation, the Spanish government announced plans to deploy the military to support the Civil Guard in maintaining security in Ceuta.Images released after the announcement showed Spanish soldiers patrolling areas around the Spanish-Moroccan border in the enclave, alongside armoured vehicles.Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is also expected to visit Ceuta alongside Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska to assess the situation.Ceuta and another Spanish enclave, Melilla, have long been key entry points for migrants seeking access to Europe from Africa.AFP Footage from Thursday showed large crowds, mostly Moroccans, moving along the breakwaters at Tarajal beach and into nearby roads. Among those attempting the crossing were young men, as well as families with women and children.Rachid Sbihi, head of the local workers association representing Civil Guard officers, said most of the 18 fatalities were caused by drowning, while others died during a stampede as migrants attempted to force their way through the breakwater fence at Tarajal beach.Related NewsMorocco edge Algeria to book WAFCON quarter-final spot80 arrested over xenophobic attacks – S’Africa envoyFIFA probes Argentina players over post-final clash with SpainThe reason behind the sudden surge in attempted crossings remains unclear. However, Spain’s Interior Ministry estimated that about 49,000 migrants entered Ceuta within a 24-hour period as they moved by both sea and land routes from Morocco.In response to the situation, the Spanish government announced plans to deploy the military to support the Civil Guard in maintaining security in Ceuta.Images released after the announcement showed Spanish soldiers patrolling areas around the Spanish-Moroccan border in the enclave, alongside armoured vehicles.Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is also expected to visit Ceuta alongside Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska to assess the situation.Ceuta and another Spanish enclave, Melilla, have long been key entry points for migrants seeking access to Europe from Africa.AFP Rachid Sbihi, head of the local workers association representing Civil Guard officers, said most of the 18 fatalities were caused by drowning, while others died during a stampede as migrants attempted to force their way through the breakwater fence at Tarajal beach.Related NewsMorocco edge Algeria to book WAFCON quarter-final spot80 arrested over xenophobic attacks – S’Africa envoyFIFA probes Argentina players over post-final clash with SpainThe reason behind the sudden surge in attempted crossings remains unclear. However, Spain’s Interior Ministry estimated that about 49,000 migrants entered Ceuta within a 24-hour period as they moved by both sea and land routes from Morocco.In response to the situation, the Spanish government announced plans to deploy the military to support the Civil Guard in maintaining security in Ceuta.Images released after the announcement showed Spanish soldiers patrolling areas around the Spanish-Moroccan border in the enclave, alongside armoured vehicles.Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is also expected to visit Ceuta alongside Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska to assess the situation.Ceuta and another Spanish enclave, Melilla, have long been key entry points for migrants seeking access to Europe from Africa.AFP The reason behind the sudden surge in attempted crossings remains unclear. However, Spain’s Interior Ministry estimated that about 49,000 migrants entered Ceuta within a 24-hour period as they moved by both sea and land routes from Morocco.In response to the situation, the Spanish government announced plans to deploy the military to support the Civil Guard in maintaining security in Ceuta.Images released after the announcement showed Spanish soldiers patrolling areas around the Spanish-Moroccan border in the enclave, alongside armoured vehicles.Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is also expected to visit Ceuta alongside Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska to assess the situation.Ceuta and another Spanish enclave, Melilla, have long been key entry points for migrants seeking access to Europe from Africa.AFP In response to the situation, the Spanish government announced plans to deploy the military to support the Civil Guard in maintaining security in Ceuta.Images released after the announcement showed Spanish soldiers patrolling areas around the Spanish-Moroccan border in the enclave, alongside armoured vehicles.Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is also expected to visit Ceuta alongside Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska to assess the situation.Ceuta and another Spanish enclave, Melilla, have long been key entry points for migrants seeking access to Europe from Africa.AFP Images released after the announcement showed Spanish soldiers patrolling areas around the Spanish-Moroccan border in the enclave, alongside armoured vehicles.Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is also expected to visit Ceuta alongside Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska to assess the situation.Ceuta and another Spanish enclave, Melilla, have long been key entry points for migrants seeking access to Europe from Africa.AFP Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is also expected to visit Ceuta alongside Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska to assess the situation.Ceuta and another Spanish enclave, Melilla, have long been key entry points for migrants seeking access to Europe from Africa.AFP Ceuta and another Spanish enclave, Melilla, have long been key entry points for migrants seeking access to Europe from Africa.AFP AFP