The death toll from the migration crisis in Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta has risen to 72, while more than 48,300 migrants have returned to Morocco, according to Spanish public broadcaster RTVE.
Rescue teams have recovered the bodies of people who drowned while attempting to swim from Morocco to Ceuta during the recent surge in irregular crossings.
Spanish authorities on Saturday installed a 500-metre sea barrier near the Tarajal border to help prevent further crossings.
The city has gradually begun returning to normal, although security forces continue searching for migrants believed to remain in Ceuta. Officials said many of those returning to Morocco have done so voluntarily, while others have been escorted to the Tarajal border crossing.
In Melilla, Spain’s other North African enclave, authorities temporarily slowed traffic at the Beni-Enzar border crossing after detecting an attempted irregular crossing. Normal vehicle and pedestrian movement resumed once the situation was brought under control.
According to Spain’s National Institute of Health Management, 1,149 migrants have received medical treatment in Ceuta, with one critically injured person awaiting transfer to mainland Spain.
Spanish authorities estimate that more than 50,000 migrants entered Ceuta irregularly on Thursday, with returns to Morocco continuing.
The migration crisis is expected to be discussed by EU justice and interior ministers at a meeting on Tuesday.