Nearly all migrants who crossed illegally from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta last week have now been returned, and there has been no onward movement toward mainland Europe or other European Union member states, according to the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU following an extraordinary meeting of EU ambassadors.
The meeting was held to prepare Tuesday's videoconference of EU interior ministers, with the latest information provided by Spanish authorities and European agencies. EU partners concluded that the crisis had been brought under control quickly, although the human toll continued to rise.
The Irish Presidency said the number of confirmed deaths had reached 70, while Spain has estimated that at least 72 migrants died attempting the crossing. Moroccan authorities have reported 11 fatalities, while the Moroccan Association for Human Rights has claimed there were nearly 130 victims, with dozens still missing.
Member states expressed strong solidarity with Spain and praised the country's rapid response to the unprecedented influx. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also reaffirmed the Commission's full support for Madrid in a letter to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
