Spanish Police Told El Pais That 44 Migrants Are Missing After Trying to Enter Ceuta

Spain's government said nearly 70,000 of about 72,000 irregular migrants who entered its North African territory of Ceuta have returned to Morocco. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska announced the figure after an emergency meeting of European Union interior ministers, adding that the remaining migrants would be repatriated if necessary. He said 75 people died during the crossings, though local media had earlier reported 88 deaths.

Marlaska also said EU ministers agreed to investigate online disinformation, arguing false social media posts fueled the mass crossings and endangered lives. Spanish police told El Pais that 44 migrants are missing after trying to enter Ceuta. Since Thursday, July 30, more than 60,000 people swam or walked from Morocco's Fnideq coast into Ceuta.

Spain deployed armed forces to the area, and Italy's far-right government suspended its Schengen agreement with Spain for a month. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned some EU countries' reactions as selfish, polarizing and illegal. Spain later installed a 500-meter floating barrier in the sea.