UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Britain would be “relentless” in tackling small-boat crossings after the mass arrival in Ceuta, Spain’s North African autonomous city. 🇬🇧
The crossing from Morocco on 30–31 July brought an estimated 50,000 people into Ceuta, according to Spain’s Interior Ministry; Ceuta’s president put the figure at about 60,000. Reporting on 2 August said at least 72 people had died. 🌊
📰 Burnham said border control and safe routes for people who need protection should be pursued together to counter trafficking. He said Spain had told him that about 98% of those who entered Ceuta had returned to Morocco.
Spain has deployed additional security resources and installed a floating barrier near the Moroccan border. EU ministers are scheduled to hold emergency talks on Tuesday, 4 August. 🇪🇺