Death toll from migrant rush into Ceuta rises to 72, 1,000 more being treated by health services

The death toll from the mass rush into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco reached at least 72 by Sunday, with five more bodies found along the coast. Over 50,000 people crossed into Ceuta starting Thursday, an unprecedented surge at one of the EU's land borders with Africa. While more than 48,000 returned to Morocco, over 1,000 people received medical treatment. The Spanish government representative in Ceuta, Miguel Angel Perez, stated that the situation had "improved markedly." Some migrants drowned or were crushed, driven by economic hardship and social media rumors. Karima Abenaz, a French national, expressed sorrow, saying, "It pains me deeply that young people are dying at sea." Authorities have reinforced patrols and installed a floating barrier, while 22 EU member states have called for coordinated action to protect external borders.