At least 18 migrants have died trying to reach the Spanish territory of Ceuta after thousands of people breached the frontier with Morocco and poured in. The border crisis boiled over Thursday and overnight, with Spain’s state broadcaster RTVE broadcasting images of burned cars on the Moroccan side of the border after reported clashes.

Humanitarian Crisis

Rachid Sbihi, who leads a local workers association representing Civil Guard officers, called the situation a “serious humanitarian crisis,” saying thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied children, were left sleeping in parks and sidewalks, while others roamed the streets aimlessly. Among the 18 who died, many drowned, Sbihi said, but some were also killed in a stampede to cross the breakwater fence at Tarajal beach.

Ahmed Karim, a 33-year-old Moroccan, said he had crossed into Ceuta because of the lack of jobs in his country. “Many people want to go to Europe, America, but they don’t have the opportunity,” Karim said. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is expected to join Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska in a visit to Ceuta on Friday morning.

International Response

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said France would strengthen border checks with Spain, writing on X that he had activated the Rapid Intervention Border Force. Moroccan authorities have not publicly commented on the crossings, and Morocco’s Interior Ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

Original reporting: KTSA News/Talk (San Antonio) — read the source article.