Ceuta: Spain says most migrants have returned to Morocco

Key Points:

• An estimated 60,000 migrants entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco, resulting in at least 57 deaths, according to Spanish authorities, with many migrants now reported to have returned to Morocco.
• Italy has temporarily suspended its Schengen free-travel pact with Spain for one month in response to the migrant influx, implementing targeted border checks on non-EU citizens arriving from Spain.
• Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attributed the surge to human smugglers exploiting a recent Supreme Court ruling that changed deportation rules for sea arrivals, and Spain's government has deployed military personnel to assist border police.
• Several European countries, including Germany, Denmark, France, and Portugal, have increased border controls or called for stricter measures to manage migration, with some leaders suggesting possible suspension of Spain from the Schengen zone.
• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the dangerous crossings and called for swift returns and dismantling of smuggling networks, emphasizing cooperation with Morocco to address the crisis.