At least 72 migrants have died this week during a massive influx attempt into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, according to official reports. The surge of young migrants, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, overwhelmed border controls and led to a humanitarian emergency.
The mass arrival has triggered a diplomatic crisis between Spain and several European Union member states that have been critical of Madrid's migration policies. EU interior ministers are scheduled to discuss the situation on Tuesday, according to diplomatic sources.
Spanish authorities have deployed additional police forces to the border and are working with Moroccan officials to manage the crisis. The enclave, which shares a land border with Morocco, has seen a sharp increase in migration attempts in recent weeks.
Human rights organizations have called for urgent EU action to address the root causes of migration and to ensure the protection of migrants' rights. The death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue.
