Spain says migrants returned to Morocco from Ceuta enclave

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares announced Friday that almost all migrants who entered the North African enclave of Ceuta have returned to Morocco, dismissing reports of unchecked border crossings as deliberate misinformation.

Schengen integrity defended

Albares wrote on the US social media platform X that security measures remain fully operational at the border. "It is not possible to travel from Ceuta and Melilla to mainland Spain without identifying yourself at a police checkpoint," he stated. "The integrity of the Schengen Area is fully guaranteed. Enough of the deliberate misinformation."

Border security measures

Earlier on Friday, Spanish news agency EFE reported that hundreds of migrants had begun heading toward the border to return to Morocco, citing a bilateral repatriation agreement and the lack of open shops or supermarkets in Ceuta to meet basic needs. Spanish authorities deployed the Civil Guard and the Army's Regulares Group No. 54 along the Tarajal beach area to prevent further arrivals by sea.

Madrid condemns 'attack'

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the mass arrivals as "an attack" and "a violation of Spain's territorial integrity," pledging to restore normality as soon as possible. Spanish authorities confirmed that at least 57 people have died in the migration crisis.