At least 57 dead after thousands of migrants cross into Ceuta: Officials

LONDON -- At least 57 people have died after nearly 60,000 people crossed into the Spanish territory of Ceuta from Morocco, authorities said Friday.

Spain's Guardia Civil and Maritime Rescue said autopsies will be conducted to determine the cause of death.

The border crossings have been captured on dramatic videos. Many of those who crossed into Ceuta swam. A similar crossing occurred in 2021.

Morocco is across the Strait of Gibraltar. At least 48,000 people have already crossed back to Morocco, authorities said, though the border is still not under control.

Stores in Ceuta remained closed and 80,000 residents are confined to their homes.

Juan Jesús Vivas, the president of Ceuta, told Spanish media that the government was late to react. The Spanish government has said diplomatic relations between Spain and Morocco remain "excellent."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the government was "fully committed to providing an immediate response to the situation in Ceuta" in a post on X late Thursday. "We are mobilizing all necessary resources, working with Moroccan and international authorities, and preparing the measures needed to restore normality as soon as possible," Sánchez wrote.

He added: "Now is the time to build solutions, with responsibility and cooperation." In Melilla, Spain's other enclave bordering Morocco, authorities reported that between 300 and 400 people crossed or attempted to cross the border by land or sea on Thursday.