Over 73,000 migrants leave Ceuta for Morocco as death toll rises to 71

Spanish news agency EFE reported on Sunday, citing security officials, that around 73,500 migrants have left the Spanish city of Ceuta, located on the northern coast of Africa, heading to Morocco.

According to the agency, the figure includes migrants who arrived in the city before the mass influx of undocumented migrants on July 30, as well as individuals who crossed the border multiple times.

EFE also reported that the number of migrants who have died while attempting to swim to Ceuta has risen to at least 71.

Meanwhile, Cadena SER radio reported that Spanish authorities have found 74 bodies, while Moroccan authorities have recovered 16. Authorities continue to search the waters off Ceuta for more bodies, as dozens of thousands of migrants rushed toward the Spanish enclave in North Africa.

By Friday, around 50,000 migrants had entered Ceuta from Morocco, arriving in the Spanish enclave, which has a population of 85,000. Spanish authorities said most migrants have since voluntarily returned to Morocco.