Around 60,000 migrants swam around the border from Morocco into Ceuta, part of Spain.
Spanish officials said almost all those who reached the enclave have now returned, but at least 72 migrants died attempting the journey. Many EU leaders called for an urgent meeting, asking for the end of policies that could encourage illegal migration.
But Spain says the problems in Ceuta are not caused by its immigration policies, and that Ceuta is not part of mainland Spain, so there was never a security threat to other EU countries.
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Published on Wednesday, 5th August 2026.
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