9 Migrants Die as Spain Sends Troops to Ceuta Border

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Ceuta: Spain is deploying soldiers to its North African enclave of Ceuta after a surge in migrant arrivals from Morocco left at least nine people dead and triggered a political row within Europe.

Spanish authorities said the migrants died while attempting to swim to Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco. Around 1,500 people have reached the enclave by sea in recent days, while hundreds more have gathered on the Moroccan side of the border hoping to cross.

The Spanish government said the military will reinforce the Civil Guard to help maintain security. Additional coastguard vessels and diving teams are also being deployed, and the number of Civil Guard officers in Ceuta will nearly double.

Ceuta's regional authorities warned that the enclave's migrant reception capacity has been overwhelmed as large numbers of adults and children continue to arrive.

The influx has sparked political tensions in Europe. Italy called for Spain to be suspended from the Schengen free-travel area, arguing that its migration policies were encouraging irregular migration. Spain rejected the criticism, accusing Italy of politicising the crisis.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said his government was working with Moroccan and international authorities to respond to the situation and restore normality. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska is also expected to visit Ceuta to oversee the response.

Ceuta and Melilla, Spain's two enclaves in North Africa, have long been flashpoints for irregular migration into Europe due to their land borders with Morocco.