Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Friday planned to head to the country's north African exclave after tens of thousands of undocumented migrants crossed the border overnight. Read moreSpain deploys military as hundreds cross into Ceuta from Morocco Spain sent troops to the Ceuta enclave to reinforce the Civil Guard and help maintain security after waves of people crossed from Morocco around the frontier fence to enter Spanish territory, many swimming around the border. Spain's ​Interior ​Ministry said on Friday that ​according ‌to ⁠its ‌estimates some ⁠49,000 migrants had crossed ​into ‌the exclave over the past 24 ​hours At least 18 people have died trying to reach the city, a ministry spokesperson said. 'It's chaotic' Rachid Sbihi, who leads a local workers association representing Civil Guard officers described the situation as a “serious humanitarian crisis”. “People are still entering. The reinforcements that have arrived are only helping the injured and other humanitarian efforts,” he said. Without shelter, thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied children, were left sleeping in parks and sidewalks, with others roaming the streets aimlessly, he said. “It’s chaotic,” he added. Among the 18 people who died, many drowned but some were also killed in the stampede to cross the breakwater fence at Tarajal beach, Sbihi said.