Thousands of migrants surged into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco on Thursday, prompting Spain to deploy its military as overwhelmed police struggled to cope. At least nine people died during the crossings, authorities said.
Video shared widely online shows crowds of migrants pushing past barriers at Ceuta's Tarajal border, while others arrived by sea. The migrants streamed in both on foot and by boat, overwhelming police forces that were later reinforced by federal troops.
The sudden influx put renewed pressure on Spain's border with Morocco and highlighted the challenges facing the region. Officials said the military was sent to help restore order and assist the strained security forces.
The deaths occurred amid the chaotic crossings, though details of how the migrants died were not immediately released. The Spanish government did not say how many migrants had entered Ceuta in total.
Videos of the mass crossings quickly went viral on social media, showing large groups of people moving through the border area as officers looked on. The situation remained tense as Spanish authorities worked to manage the arrivals.