Ceuta Migrant Crisis Death Toll Climbs to 72

The death toll from the mass migrant rush into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta has risen to at least 72, as five more bodies were discovered along the coast on Sunday. The unprecedented surge, which began on Thursday, saw over 50,000 people cross into Ceuta by land and sea, marking one of the largest influxes at the European Union's only two land borders with Africa. Spanish authorities reported that more than 48,000 migrants returned to Morocco within 48 hours, with additional returns over the weekend. Miguel Angel Perez, the Spanish government representative in Ceuta, confirmed the fatalities and noted that over 1,000 people had received medical treatment since Thursday. While the situation in the city has improved, Perez emphasized that more work is needed to restore normality. Many migrants drowned or were crushed while attempting to climb a breakwater and border fence, driven by economic hardship and encouraged by social media rumors. The crisis has alarmed EU member states and highlighted the ongoing challenges of migration at Europe's southern borders.