Ceuta migrant crisis

• About 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Spain’s Ceuta territory in North Africa on July 31.

• At least 57 migrants died on the journey.

• The sudden arrival of so many migrants triggered chaos and a humanitarian crisis.

• Spain deployed its armed forces and additional police to restore order in Ceuta.

• On the Moroccan side of the border, security forces clashed with migrants.

• The Spanish government said that roughly half of the people who made the crossing soon made their way back voluntarily.

• Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited Ceuta and condemned the border breach.

• The rush on the border caused division in Europe, where leaders of fellow EU states called for Spain to ensure that the incident was contained.

• Italy suspended the European Union’s border-free Schengen arrangements with Spain.

Key points on Ceuta and Melilla:

• Ceuta sits on the Strait of Gibraltar at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea and has been a Spanish possession since 1580. 

• Migrants from Morocco also attempted to cross into Melilla, Spain’s other territory at the tip of North Africa, where they clashed with police.

• Spain closed the Beni Enzar border crossing in the autonomous city of Melilla after a mass migrant attempt from Morocco.

• Ceuta, a territory of 18.5 square kilometres, and the nearby Melilla are Europe’s only two land borders with Africa.

• Spain is a main point of arrival into Europe for migrants seeking better economic opportunities.

• Ceuta and its sister city Melilla are heavily fortified, as the territories are seen as a destination for those trying to reach Spain from Morocco and other parts of Africa.

• Morocco’s government does not recognise Spain’s sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla.

• It has been a flashpoint in major diplomatic crises between both countries.