Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has said there is no evidence Morocco was behind a mass border crossing into the enclave of Ceuta, where up to 141 people are thought to have died and about 70,000 attempted to enter.
Key facts
- Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez said there is no evidence Morocco's government was behind the Ceuta border breach.
- As many as 141 people are thought to have died trying to enter Ceuta at the end of July.
- About 70,000 men, women and children were involved in the influx.
- Sánchez said the two countries are cooperating.
- The event triggered a political crisis, a humanitarian emergency and renewed EU immigration tensions.
Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has insisted there is no evidence to suggest the Moroccan government was behind last month’s massive border crossing into the north African enclave of Ceuta, according to the Guardian.
The incursion at the end of July involved about 70,000 men, women and children attempting to enter the Spanish enclave. As many as 141 people are thought to have died during the attempt, the Guardian reported.
Sánchez said the two countries are cooperating in the aftermath of the mass crossing, according to the Guardian.
The influx unleashed a political crisis in Spain and a humanitarian emergency, the Guardian reported. It also reignited tensions over immigration within the European Union.
Why it matters
With as many as 141 deaths reported, the Ceuta breach highlights the human cost of irregular crossings and the diplomatic sensitivity of assigning blame between Spain and Morocco, as well as the strain such events place on EU unity over immigration.
Frequently asked questions
How many people died in the Ceuta border crossing?
As many as 141 people are thought to have died trying to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta at the end of July, according to the Guardian.
Did Spain blame Morocco for the border breach?
No. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said there was no evidence to suggest the Moroccan government was behind the crossing, and stated that the two countries are cooperating.
How many people were involved in the incursion?
About 70,000 men, women and children were involved in the influx into Ceuta.