The number of people who have died in the latest migrant crisis at the Spain-Morocco border has increased to 67 after thousands of migrants crossed into the Spanish city of Ceuta in North Africa.

Many people lost their lives during the mass crossing. Some drowned while trying to swim into Ceuta, while others died in a stampede as large crowds rushed across the border.

In response, the Spanish government announced plans to build a 500-metre barrier along the sea border between Ceuta and Morocco.

The decision came after about 60,000 migrants entered the Spanish territory earlier this week.

Spanish authorities said the situation is gradually improving. According to the Interior Ministry, around 53,000 migrants have already returned to Morocco.

On Saturday, Spanish soldiers intercepted a small number of exhausted migrants who reached Ceuta’s Tarajal beach by swimming and escorted them back to Morocco.

Spain’s Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, said the country would continue to enforce its immigration laws.

He also defended Morocco, describing it as a reliable partner despite questions about how so many migrants were able to cross the border.

He said both countries would review what happened and noted that their cooperation helped restore order within 24 hours.

Although the immediate crisis has eased, officials said life in Ceuta has not yet fully returned to normal.

The city’s regional president, Juan Jesus Vivas, said the mass arrival of migrants had seriously disrupted daily life in the city of about 84,000 people. He added that the process of returning migrants to Morocco was progressing well and should be completed.