11:54

At least 40,000 Moroccan migrants crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Thursday.

Axar.az reports, citing Spanish media, that most of the migrants were young Moroccans who crossed the border after breaching the fence and breakwater separating Ceuta from Moroccan territory. The report claimed Moroccan police encouraged migrants to cross into the Spanish enclave.

According to the report, the scale of the influx has raised concerns over Spain's sovereignty, prompting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to order the deployment of the Spanish Army to help restore security.

Spanish authorities confirmed that at least 15 people drowned during the crossing, while the death toll is expected to rise as more bodies are recovered from the sea. BBC News reported the fatalities before the Spanish government issued an official statement.

Juan Vivas, the president of Ceuta's regional government, appealed to the central government in Madrid for urgent assistance, saying the latest migration wave had far exceeded the crises of 2021 and 2022.

***

Nineteen people have been killed in clashes between migrants and security forces in the Spanish city of Ceuta.

According to reports, nearly 50,000 migrants who entered the city have been setting vehicles on fire, looting shops, and causing widespread unrest in the streets.

Security forces have urged residents to remain indoors and avoid going outside.

A state of emergency has been declared in the city.